lever

¹

[lev-er, lee-ver]

noun

1. Mechanics.,  a rigid bar that pivots about one point and that is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third.

2. a tool, as a pry or a crowbar, for raising, moving, or opening something by leverage.

   There's a small lever in my toolbox that'll be perfect for prying off these narrow moldings.

3. a handle or bar that is manipulated to operate, control, or adjust a machine, mechanism, etc..

   Pushing down the lever on the left will automatically open the door.

4. a means or agency of persuading or of achieving an end.

   Saying that the chairman of the board likes the plan is just a lever to get us to support it.

5. Horology.,  the pallet of an escapement.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to move with or apply a lever.

   to lever a rock; to lever mightily and to no avail.

Lever

²

[lee-ver]

noun

1. Charles James Cornelius O'Dowd, 1806–72, Irish novelist and essayist.

lever

/ ˈliːvə /

noun

1. a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum, used to transfer a force to a load and usually to provide a mechanical advantage

2. any of a number of mechanical devices employing this principle

3. a means of exerting pressure in order to accomplish something; strategic aid

verb

1. to prise or move (an object) with a lever

lever

1. A simple machine consisting of a bar that pivots on a fixed support, or fulcrum, and is used to transmit torque. A force applied by pushing down on one end of the lever results in a force pushing up at the other end. If the fulcrum is not positioned in the middle of the lever, then the force applied to one end will not yield the same force on the other, since the torque must be the same on either side of the fulcrum. Levers, like gears, can thus be used to increase the force available from a mechanical power source.

2. See more at fulcrum See also mechanical advantage

Other Word Forms

• lever-like adjective
• relever verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lever¹

1250–1300; Middle English levere, levour for *lever < Anglo-French; Old French levier, equivalent to lev ( er ) to lift (< Latin levāre to lighten, lift, verbal derivative of levis light) + -ier -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of lever¹

C13: from Old French leveour, from lever to raise, from Latin levāre, from levis light

Example Sentences

Special effects are central both to “Oz’s” appeal and its plot: The big reveal is that technicians, not wizards, pull the levers that make an audience gasp.

From Los Angeles Times

For a moment, it feels as if we are nudging the levers of corporate power, that our collective attention matters.

From Salon

With most spending now fixed, and political challenges over welfare cuts, that would leave tax rises as the main lever.

From BBC

The government said "the best way to strengthen public finances is by growing the economy", but the Conservatives said Labour "always reaches for the tax rise lever".

From BBC

Instead, officials argue this diplomatic card should be used productively to drive momentum in a long-term political settlement; a lever with which to get a deal over the line.

From BBC

Related Words

• crowbar 
• pedal 
• tool