lend v.tr. (past
and past part. lent) 1 (usu. foll. by to)
grant (to a person)
the use of (a thing) on the
understanding that it or
its equivalent shall be returned. 2
allow the use of (money) at
interest. 3
bestow or
contribute (something temporary) (lend assistance; lends a
certain charm). ølend an ear (or one's ears)
listen. lend a
hand =
give a hand (see HAND). lending
library a library
from which books
may be temporarily taken
away with or
Brit.
without direct payment. lend
itself to (of a thing) be
suitable for. Lend-Lease
hist. an
arrangement made in 1941
whereby the US supplied
equipment etc. to the UK and its allies, orig. as a loan in
return for the use of British-owned
military bases. lend
oneself to
accommodate oneself to (a policy or purpose). øølendable adj. lender n. lending n. [ME, earlier lene(n) f. OE lónan f. lón LOAN(1)]