lever
pronunciation
How to pronounce lever in British English:
UK [ˈliːvə(r)]
How to pronounce lever in American English:
US [ˈlevər]
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- Noun:
- a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
- a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum
- a flat metal tumbler in a lever lock
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- Verb:
- to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
Word Origin
- lever (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French levier (Modern French leveur) "a lifter, a lever," agent noun from lever "to raise," from Latin levare "to raise," from levis "light" in weight, from PIE root *legwh- "light, having little weight; easy, agile, nimble" (cognates: Sanskrit laghuh "quick, small;" Greek elakhys "small," elaphros "light;" Old Church Slavonic liguku, Lithuanian lengvas "light;" Old Irish laigiu "smaller, worse;" Gothic leihts, Old English leoht "light" (adj.)). As a verb, 1856, from the noun.
Example
- 1. The second lever is the system of mortgage financing .
- 2. Remember , your mind is your greatest lever .
- 3. And the olympics were a unique lever to effect a profound transformation .
- 4. The threat of violence is a potent political lever .
- 5. When you use a lever you work much less but you accomplish much more .