Lever Definition

lĕvər, lēvər
levered, levering, levers
noun
levers
A bar used as a pry.
Webster's New World
A projecting handle used to adjust or operate a mechanism.
American Heritage
A device consisting of a bar turning about a fixed point, the fulcrum, using power or force applied at a second point to lift or sustain a weight at a third point; hence, any handle or the like used to operate something.
Webster's New World
A means to an end.
Webster's New World

(mechanics) 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.

Wiktionary
verb
levered, levering, levers
To move, lift, etc. with or as with a lever.
Webster's New World
To use as a lever.
Webster's New World
To fund at least in part with borrowed money; leverage.
American Heritage

(chiefly UK, finance) To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
adverb
1537, William Tyndale et al, "Jonah", in The Byble.
Now therefore take my life from me, for I had lever die then live.
Wiktionary
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faery Queene.
For lever had I die than see his deadly face.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Lever

Noun

Singular:
lever
Plural:
levers

Origin of Lever

  • From Old French leveor, leveur (“a lifter, lever (also Old French and French levier)"), from Latin levator (“a lifter"), from levare, past part. levatus (“to raise"); see levant. Compare alleviate, elevate, leaven.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old French levier from lever to raise from Latin levāre from levis light legwh- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English comparative of leve (“dear") of Germanic origin (compare German lieb) or lief.

    From Wiktionary

  • From French lever.

    From Wiktionary

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