Obs. In 7 leare, lere. [app. f. LEER v.] Looking askance; oblique, indirect; sly, underhand.
1629. B. Jonson, New Inn, IV. i. Ile to bed and sleepe, And dreame away the vapour of Loue, if th’ house And your leere drunkards let me.
1633. Earle, Microcosm. (Arb.), 103. A Suspitious, or Iealous Man Is one that watches himselfe a mischiefe, and keepes a leare eye still, for feare it should escape him.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), II. 207. He had rather have them bear two Senses in vain and impertinently, than one to the Purpose, and never speaks without a Lere-Sense. Ibid., 459. He has a lere Trick,… to cry down all those Paces which he wants.
a. 1830. Yng. Musgrave, viii. in Child, Ballads (1885), II. 249/1. The laddie gae a blythe leer look, A blythe leer look gave he.
