lean [OE] The two words spelled lean are of different origins. Both are Old English, but the one meaning ‘be in a sloping position’ shares a root of Latin clinare, as in incline [ME]; decline [LME]; and recline [LME]. We sometimes talk of lean years or a lean period. period. This expression comes from the story of Joseph in the Bible. He successfully interprets Pharaoh’s disturbing dream, in which seven plump, healthy cattle come out of the river and begin to feed. Seven lean, malnourished animals then leave the river and proceed to eat the plump cattle. According to Joseph’s interpretation, there will be seven years of plenty in Egypt followed by seven lean years. Pharaoh, impressed by Joseph, appoints him vice-regent to prepare the country for the ordeal of the seven lean years. A person who is lean and hungry is active and alert-looking. The phrase comes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar—‘Yond’ Cassius has a lean and hungry look.’