leant

leant is the past tense and past participle of the verb lean. It describes the action of inclining or bending away from a vertical position. For instance, one might say they "leant over" to pick something up, or that a building "leant" precariously after an earthquake. The word can also be used metaphorically to suggest support or favor. For example, a decision might have "leant" towards one option over another, or a person may have "leant" on a friend for emotional support. The usage of "leant" is common in everyday English, referring to both physical postures and abstract inclinations. It is a regular verb in that its past tense is formed by adding "-ed" to the base form, but it is also recognized as an irregular alternative to "leaned." Both forms are generally considered acceptable, though "leaned" is more prevalent in American English.