lever
UK /ˈliː.və/ · US /ˈlɛv.ɚ/ noun, verb, adverb, proper noun
Forms levers levering levered liever
- noun (mechanics) A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; — used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
- noun Specifically, a bar of metal, wood or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a fulcrum. It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is of three kinds, according as either the fulcrum F, the weight W, or the power P, respectively, is situated between the other two, as in the figures.
- noun A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a switch or a button).
- noun (mechanics) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
- noun (mechanics) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
- noun (obsolete, except in generalized senses below) A crowbar.
- verb (transitive) To move with a lever. “With great effort and a big crowbar I managed to lever the beam off the floor.”
- verb (figuratively, transitive) To use, operate or move (something) like a lever (physically).
- verb (figuratively, transitive) To use (something) like a lever (in an abstract sense).
- verb (chiefly UK, finance) To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.
- adverb (obsolete) Rather.
- noun (rare) A levee.
- proper noun A surname.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English lever, levore, levour, from Old French leveor, leveur (“a lifter, lever (also Old French and French levier)”), from Latin levātor (“a lifter”), from levō (“to raise”). Doublet of levator.
From Middle English lever, comparative of leve, leef (“dear, beloved, lief”), equivalent to lief + -er. Related to German lieber (“rather”).
Borrowed from French lever.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective More agreeable; more pleasing. [Obs.] Chaucer. To be lever than. See Had as lief, under Had.
- adverb Bather. [Obs.] Chaucer.
- noun A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; --used for transmitting and modifying force and motion. Specif., a bar of metal, wood, or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a fulcrum. It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is three kinds, according as either the fulcrum F, the weight W, or the power P. respectively,
- noun (a) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it. (b) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it. Compound lever, a machine consisting of two or more levers acting upon each other.
Etymology [Old compar. of leve or lief.]
Etymology [OE. levour, OF. leveor, prop., a lifter, fr. F. lever to raise, L. levare; akin to levis light in weight, E. levity, and perh. to E. light not heavy: cf. F. levier. Cf. Alleviate, Elevate, Leaven, Legerdemain, Levy, n.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “lever”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details