Definition of lever

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< Leven, Loch

leverage >

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lever
top to bottom: first-class, second-class, and third-class levers

lev·er

r, l

r) KEY

NOUN:

A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a fixed point and used to transmit force, as in raising or moving a weight at one end by pushing down on the other.
A projecting handle used to adjust or operate a mechanism.
A means of accomplishing; a tool: used friendship as a lever to obtain advancement.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
lev·ered, lev·er·ing, lev·ers

To move or lift with or as if with a lever.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French levier, from lever, to raise, from Latin levre, from levis, light; see leg^wh- in Indo-European roots

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