Inclines or tilts the body or an object to one side; or trusts and relies on someone for help or support.
From Old English 'hlinian' meaning to lean or recline. Has maintained this meaning for over a thousand years with minimal change.
The verb 'lean' is poetic because it describes both literal physics and emotional dependence with the same word—you can lean against a wall and lean on a friend, and the word somehow fits both perfectly.
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