Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lean \Lean\ (l[=e]n), a. [Compar. {Leaner} (l[=e]n"[~e]r);
   superl. {Leanest}.] [OE. lene, AS. hl[=ae]ne; prob. akin to
   E. lean to incline. See {Lean}, v. i. ]
   1. Wanting flesh; destitute of or deficient in fat; not
      plump; meager; thin; lank; as, a lean body; a lean cattle.

   2. Wanting fullness, richness, sufficiency, or
      productiveness; deficient in quality or contents; slender;
      scant; barren; bare; mean; -- used literally and
      figuratively; as, the lean harvest; a lean purse; a lean
      discourse; lean wages. ``No lean wardrobe.'' --Shak.

            Their lean and fiashy songs.          --Milton.

            What the land is, whether it be fat or lean. --Num.
                                                  xiii. 20.

            Out of my lean and low ability I'll lend you
            something.                            --Shak.

   3. (Typog.) Of a character which prevents the compositor from
      earning the usual wages; -- opposed to {fat}; as, lean
      copy, matter, or type.

   Syn: slender; spare; thin; meager; lank; skinny; gaunt.