- To lift up
- Lift Lift (l[i^]ft), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lifted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Lifting}.] [Icel. lypta, fr. lopt air; akin to Sw.
lyfta to lift, Dan. l["o]fte, G. l["u]ften; -- prop., to
raise into the air. See {Loft}, and cf. 1st {Lift}.]
1. To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to
raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a
higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support
or holding in the higher place; -- said of material
things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair
or a burden.
[1913 Webster]
2. To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; -- often with up. [1913 Webster]
The Roman virtues lift up mortal man. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
Lest, being lifted up with pride. --1 Tim. iii. 6. [1913 Webster]
3. To bear; to support. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
4. To collect, as moneys due; to raise. [1913 Webster]
5. [Perh. a different word, and akin to Goth. hliftus thief, hlifan to steal, L. clepere, Gr. kle`ptein. Cf. {Shoplifter}.] To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle. [1913 Webster]
Note: In old writers, lift is sometimes used for lifted. [1913 Webster]
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{To lift up}, to raise or elevate; in the Scriptures, specifically, to elevate upon the cross. --John viii. 28.
{To lift up the eyes}. To look up; to raise the eyes, as in prayer. --Ps. cxxi. 1.
{To lift up the feet}, to come speedily to one's relief. --Ps. lxxiv. 3.
{To lift up the hand}. (a) To take an oath. --Gen. xiv. 22. (b) To pray. --Ps. xxviii. 2. (c) To engage in duty. --Heb. xii. 12.
{To lift up the hand against}, to rebel against; to assault; to attack; to injure; to oppress. --Job xxxi. 21.
{To lift up one's head}, to cause one to be exalted or to rejoice. --Gen. xl. 13. --Luke xxi. 28.
{To lift up the heel against}, to treat with insolence or unkindness. --John xiii.18.
{To lift up the voice}, to cry aloud; to call out. --Gen. xxi. 16. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
