lever
lever Lexical Profile
lever Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A projecting arm or handle that is moved to operate a mechanism.
"The pilot pulled a metal lever to deploy the landing gear before approaching the runway."
A rigid bar resting on a pivot (fulcrum), used to help move a heavy or firmly fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other.
"The ancient Egyptians used a simple lever to move massive stone blocks while constructing the pyramids."
A means of exerting pressure or influence to achieve a desired result.
"The threat of strict economic sanctions was used as a lever to force diplomatic negotiations."
• verb
To lift, move, or force a physical object using a lever.
"The rescue workers carefully levered the fallen concrete slab off the trapped vehicle."
• Rhymes for lever
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'leveor' (a lifter), derived from Latin 'levare' meaning 'to raise', from 'levis' meaning 'light in weight'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.