lever

Meaning

Noun

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a switch or a button).
4. A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
5. An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
6. (obsolete) A crowbar.

Verb

1. (transitive) To move with a lever.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To use, operate or move (something) like a lever (physically).
3. (figuratively, transitive) To use (something) like a lever (in an abstract sense).
4. (UK) To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.

Adv

Rather.

Synonyms

crowbar

lift

raise

pry

prize

prise

jimmy

elevate

handle

heave

pole

crank

hoist

jack

bar

heaver

lever tumbler

breed

keep

knob

stick

switch

wedge

farm

rear

force

jumper

winch

bell-push

door latch

bandspike

gavelock

controlling handle

pry up

pinch bar

lever scale

billot

iron jumper

iron lever

arm

lever pry bar

cam

channel

club

crow-bar

expertness

heighten

jemmy

keystone

leverage

Translations

Hebel

levier

palanca

leva

alavanca

μοχλός

hefboom

oprichten

ophalen

beuren

levare

heffen

verheffen

alzare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈliː.və/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: lever

In summary

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.