lever
Meanings
noun
- 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.
- 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.
- A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a switch or a button).
- A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
- An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
- A crowbar.
verb
- To move with a lever.
- To use, operate or move (something) like a lever (physically).
- To use (something) like a lever (in an abstract sense).
- To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.
adv
- Rather.
noun
- A levee.
name
- A surname.
Pronunciation
Word forms
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.
Synonyms
Related words
Derived words
Translations
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.