Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LEAN, a. [Sax. læne, or hlæne; D. Dan. and G. klein, small, lean; Sw. klen; allied perhaps to L. lenis, and Eng. slender.]

1. Wanting flesh; meager; not fat; as, a lean body; a lean man or animal.
2. Not rich; destitute of good qualities; bare; barren; as, lean earth.
3. Low; poor; in opposition to rich or great; as, a lean action. [Unusual.]
4. Barren of thought; destitute of that which improves or entertains; jejune; as, a lean discourse or dissertation.