HOW TO PRONOUNCE
lever
/ˈlɛv.ɚ/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:33
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What does lever mean?
noun
- A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; — used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
- Specifically, 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.
- A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a switch or a button).
More meanings (10)
noun
- A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
- An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
- (obsolete) A crowbar.
- (rare) A levee.
verb
- To move with a lever.
- (figuratively) To use, operate or move (something) like a lever (physically).
- (figuratively) To use (something) like a lever (in an abstract sense).
- To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.
proper noun
- A surname.
adverb
- (obsolete) Rather.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈlɛv.ɚ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Here a man put shackles about one leg, and pressed another lever, and the body was jerked up into the air.
I was swinging quite close to the controlling devices, so I reached out to the lever that directed the rays of repulsion.
More book examples (3)
At the sound of a gong near the barn door, two bells were given by the conductor and Hurstwood opened his lever.
It was as a student of the lever and the pulley that Archimedes was led to some of his greatest mechanical discoveries.
How, then, could the attractiveness of labor serve us as a principle and lever, when it is still our object and our end?