lever

lever
[[t]li͟ːvə(r); AM also le̱v-[/t]]
levers, levering, levered
1) N-COUNT A lever is a handle or bar that is attached to a piece of machinery and which you push or pull in order to operate the machinery.
→ See also gear lever

Push the tiny lever on the lock and let the door lock itself...

The taps have a lever to control the mix of hot and cold water.

2) N-COUNT A lever is a long bar, one end of which is placed under a heavy object so that when you press down on the other end you can move the object.
3) VERB If you lever something in a particular direction, you move it there, especially by using a lot of effort.

[V n with adj] Neighbours eventually levered open the door with a crowbar...

[V n adv/prep] Insert the fork about 6in. from the root and simultaneously lever it backwards...

[V pron-refl adv/prep] Alex levered himself up from the sofa. [Also V, V n]

4) N-COUNT A lever is an idea or action that you can use to make people do what you want them to do, rather than what they want to do.

Radical, militant factions want to continue using the hostages as a lever to gain concessions from the west.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lever — 1. (le vé. La syllabe le prend un accent grave quand la syllabe qui suit est muette : je lève, je lèverai) v. a. 1°   Placer dans une situation plus haute ce qui est étendu, pendant, etc. Levez cela davantage. On leva la poutre en l air. Le… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • lever — Lever, act. acut. Signifie haulser, et de bas tirer en hault, Erigere, comme, Levez vous, Erige te. Lever la main, pour prester serment, Manum ad iusiurandum attollere. Lever de terre, Ex humo sursum educere, extollere. Les François l esleverent… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • Lever — Le ver (l[=e] v[ e]r or l[e^]v [ e]r; 277), n. [OE. levour, OF. leveor, prop., a lifter, fr. F. lever to raise, L. levare; akin to levis light in weight, E. levity, and perh. to E. light not heavy: cf. F. levier. Cf. {Alleviate}, {Elevate},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lever — Freguesia de Portugal …   Wikipedia Español

  • lever — Ⅰ. lever UK US /ˈliːvər/ US  /ˈlevər/ noun [C] ► a bar or handle which moves around a fixed point, so that one end of it can be pushed or pulled in order to control a machine or move a heavy object: »Lower the lever to lock the machine into place …   Financial and business terms

  • Lever — Sn Audienz während der Morgentoilette erw. bildg. (18. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus frz. lever m., einer Substantivierung von frz. lever aufheben, sich aufrichten, aufgehen , dieses aus l. levāre heben, aufrichten, erleichtern , zu l. levis… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • lever — lever; lever·man; lever·aged; lever·age; …   English syllables

  • lever — [lev′ər, lē′vər] n. [OFr leveour < lever, to raise < L levare < levis, light: see LIGHT2] 1. a bar used as a pry 2. a means to an end 3. Mech. a device consisting of a bar turning about a fixed point, the fulcrum, using power or force… …   English World dictionary

  • lever — (n.) c.1300, from O.Fr. levier (Mod.Fr. leveur) a lifter, a lever, agent noun from lever to raise, from L. levare to raise, from levis light in weight, from PIE root *legwh light, having little weight; easy, agile, nimble (Cf. Skt. laghuh quick,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • lever — ► NOUN 1) a rigid bar resting on a pivot, used to move a load with one end when pressure is applied to the other. 2) a projecting arm or handle that is moved to operate a mechanism. ► VERB 1) lift or move with a lever. 2) move with a concerted… …   English terms dictionary

  • Lever — Lev er (l[=e] v[ e]r), a. [Old compar. of leve or lief.] More agreeable; more pleasing. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] {To be lever than}. See {Had as lief}, under {Had}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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