Lever

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /ˈliː.vÉš/
• UK IPA: /ˈliː.vÉ™/, /ˈlÉ›.vÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈlÉ›.vÉš/
• Rhymes: -É›vÉ™(r), -iːvÉ™(r)

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

Full definition of lever

Noun

1. (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.
1. 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.
2. A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a button).
3. (mechanics)   A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
• 2012-03, Henry Petroski, Opening Doors, A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place.
4. (mechanics)   An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.

Verb

1. (transitive) To move with a lever.''With great effort and a big crowbar I managed to lever the beam off the floor.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To use, operate like a lever.
3. (chiefly UK, finance) To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.
• 1989, Jun 26, Corporate America wants its privacy, "The equity holders want you to 'lever up,' use as much debt as you can," said David Stanley, chairman of Kansas City-based Payless Cashways,

Derived terms

• leverage
• compound lever
• lever escapement
• lever jack
• lever watch
• universal lever

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

Adverb

1. (obsolete) Rather.
• 1530, John Heywood, The Four PPfor I had lever be without ye
  Then have suche besines about ye
• 1537, William Tyndale et al, "Jonah", in Now therefore take my life from me, for I had lever die then live.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, For lever had I die than see his deadly face.

From French lever.

Noun

1. (rare) A levee.
• 1742, Miss Robinson, Mrs. Delany's Letters, II.191:We do not appear at PhÅ“bus's Levér.
• 2011, Tim Blanning, "The reinvention of the night", Times Literary Supplement, 21 Sep 2011:Louis XIV’s day began with a lever at 9 and ended (officially) at around midnight.

Anagrams

• elver
• revel