from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lease \Lease\ (l[=e]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Leased}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Leasing}.] [F. laisser, OF. laissier, lessier, to
leave, transmit, L. laxare to loose, slacken, from laxus
loose, wide. See {Lax}, and cf. {Lesser}.]
1. To grant to another by lease the possession of, as of
lands, tenements, and hereditaments; to let; to demise;
as, a landowner leases a farm to a tenant; -- sometimes
with out.
[1913 Webster]
There were some [houses] that were leased out for
three lives. --Addison.
[1913 Webster]
2. To hold under a lease; to take lease of; as, a tenant
leases his land from the owner.
[1913 Webster]