Lever definition
An example of a lever is a stick shift in a car with a manual transmission.
Examples of lever are pliers, scissors, see-saws, wheelbarrows, and tongs.
An example of a lever is a crowbar.
- 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.
With great effort and a big crowbar I managed to lever the beam off the floor.
Now therefore take my life from me, for I had lever die then live.
For lever had I die than see his deadly face.
An example of a lever is a family connection which might be used to get admitted to a school.
Used friendship as a lever to obtain advancement.
Levered up the manhole cover.
Origin of lever
- 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
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From Wiktionary
- From Middle English comparative of leve (“dear") of Germanic origin (compare German lieb) or lief.
From Wiktionary
- From French lever.
From Wiktionary