Definition of the word lean towards

The term "lean towards" is a phrasal verb in the English language that refers to the action of inclining or tilting one's body, usually slightly, in a certain direction. The origins of this phrase can be traced back to Old English, where it was pronounced as "lenge tōworde." At that time, the meaning of the word "lenge" was similar to its modern-day usage, which is the action of leaning or inclining. "Tōworde" meant "towards" in Old English. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling of this phrase changed, with the Old English "ē" becoming the Middle English "e" and then the modern-day "ean" in English. The Old English "tōworde" transformed into the Middle English "toward(e)," which eventually became the more familiar "towards" in Modern English. The exact meaning of "lean towards" has also evolved over time, as the original sense of the word in Old English, which implied leaning or inclining in a specific direction as a reaction to an action or force, became more generalized in Modern English. Today, "lean towards" is commonly used in various contexts, such as indicating one's preference or partiality towards something, suggesting a leaning towards a particular idea or position, or implying an inclination or tendency towards a certain action or outcome. In conclusion, "lean towards" is a phrasal verb that originated from Old English, consisting of the prefix "lenge," meaning to lean or incline, and the word "tōworde," meaning "towards." Its etymological roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, and its meanings have evolved over time to become a widely used phrase in Modern English, conveying a range of nuanced meanings related to inclination, preference, and tendencies.