Legal Definitions - leave

leave, n.

1. Departure; the act of going away. Example: "He said his goodbyes and took his leave."
2. Extended absence for which one has authorization; especially, a voluntary vacation from military duties with the chance to visit home; furlough. Example: "He went on a three-month leave from the Army."
3. Permission. Example: "He was allowed to enter the building by leave of court."

leave, vb.

1. To give by will; to bequeath or devise. Example: "She left her house to her daughter."
2. To be survived by. Example: "He left no children."
3. To depart; voluntarily go away; quit (a place). Example: "He left the party early."
4. To depart willfully with the intent not to return. Example: "She left her hometown and moved to the city."
5. To deliver (a summons, money, an article, etc.) by dropping off at a certain place, especially to await the return of someone; especially, to post (a copy of a writ, etc.). Example: "He left the package at the front desk."

These examples illustrate the different meanings of the word "leave." For example, in the first noun definition, "took his leave" means that the person is departing or leaving. In the second noun definition, "three-month leave" means that the person is authorized to be absent from their military duties. In the first verb definition, "left her house to her daughter" means that the person gave their house to their daughter in their will. In the fourth verb definition, "left her hometown and moved to the city" means that the person voluntarily departed from their hometown with no intention of returning.