Lever

Lever
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}, {Leaven}, {Legerdemain}, {Levee}, {Levy}, n.] 1. (Mech.) 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. Specif., 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. [1913 Webster]

2. (Mach.) (a) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it. (b) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it. [1913 Webster]

{Compound lever}, a machine consisting of two or more levers acting upon each other.

{Lever escapement}. See {Escapement}.

{Lever jack}. See {Jack}, n., 5.

{Lever watch}, a watch having a vibrating lever to connect the action of the escape wheel with that of the balance.

{Universal lever}, a machine formed by a combination of a lever with the wheel and axle, in such a manner as to convert the reciprocating motion of the lever into a continued rectilinear motion of some body to which the power is applied. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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 — 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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