lease

1
[ lees ]
/ lis /

noun

a contract renting land, buildings, etc., to another; a contract or instrument conveying property to another for a specified period or for a period determinable at the will of either lessor or lessee in consideration of rent or other compensation.
the property leased.
the period of time for which a lease is made: a five-year lease.

verb (used with object), leased, leas·ing.

to grant the temporary possession or use of (lands, tenements, etc.) to another, usually for compensation at a fixed rate; let: She plans to lease her apartment to a friend.
to take or hold by lease: He leased the farm from the sheriff.

verb (used without object), leased, leas·ing.

to grant a lease; let or rent: to lease at a lower rental.

Idioms for lease

    a new lease on life, a chance to improve one's situation or to live longer or more happily: Plastic surgery gave him a new lease on life.

Origin of lease

1
1350–1400; Middle English les < Anglo-French (equivalent to Old French lais, French legs legacy), noun derivative of lesser to lease, literally, let go (equivalent to Old French laissier) < Latin laxāre to release, let go. See lax

SYNONYMS FOR lease

5 rent, charter, hire.

OTHER WORDS FROM lease

Words nearby lease

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British Dictionary definitions for new lease on life (1 of 2)

lease 1
/ (liːs) /

noun

a contract by which property is conveyed to a person for a specified period, usually for rent
the instrument by which such property is conveyed
the period of time for which it is conveyed
a prospect of renewed health, happiness, etc a new lease of life

verb (tr)

to grant possession of (land, buildings, etc) by lease
to take a lease of (property); hold under a lease

Derived forms of lease

leasable, adjective leaser, noun

Word Origin for lease

C15: via Anglo-French from Old French lais (n), from laissier to let go, from Latin laxāre to loosen

British Dictionary definitions for new lease on life (2 of 2)

lease 2
/ (liːz) /

noun

dialect open pasture or common

Word Origin for lease

Old English lǣs; perhaps related to Old Norse lāth property

Cultural definitions for new lease on life

lease

A contract that grants possession of property for a specified period of time in return for some kind of compensation.

Idioms and Phrases with new lease on life (1 of 2)

new lease on life

A fresh start; renewed vigor and good health, as in Since they bought his store Dad has had a new lease on life. This term with its allusion to a rental agreement dates from the early 1800s and originally referred only to recovery from illness. By the mid-1800s it was applied to any kind of fresh beginning.

Idioms and Phrases with new lease on life (2 of 2)

lease

see new lease on life.