boost

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. v. To raise or lift by pushing up from behind or below. See Synonyms at lift.
2. v. To increase; raise: boost prices; efforts to boost participation in the program.
3. v. To assist in further development or progress: a bill intended to boost local charities.
4. v. To stir up enthusiasm for; promote vigorously: boosted their school with rallies and fund drives.
5. v. Electricity To increase the voltage of (a circuit).
6. v. Slang To steal or rob, especially by shoplifting or pickpocketing.
7. v. Slang To engage in stealing, especially shoplifting or pickpocketing.
8. n. A push upward or ahead.
9. n. An encouraging act or comment.
10. n. An increase: a big boost in salary.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To lift or raise by pushing from behind, as a person climbing a tree; push up: often used figuratively: as, to boost a person over a fence, or into power.
2. n. An upward shove or push; the act of boosting; the result of boosting; a lift, either literally or figuratively: as, to give one a boost.
3. n. A Middle English form of boast.
4. n. Same as boist.
5. Same as buist.

Wiktionary

1. n. A push from behind, as to one who is endeavoring to climb; help.
2. n. automotive engineering A positive intake manifold pressure in cars with turbochargers or superchargers.
3. v. To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up; hence, to assist in overcoming obstacles, or in making advancement.
4. v. slang To steal.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. v. Colloq. U. S. To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up; hence, to assist in overcoming obstacles, or in making advancement.
2. n. Colloq. U. S. A push from behind, as to one who is endeavoring to climb; help.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. increase or raise
2. v. increase.
3. v. give a boost to; be beneficial to
4. v. contribute to the progress or growth of
5. v. push or shove upward, as if from below or behind
6. n. the act of giving hope or support to someone
7. n. the act of giving a push
8. n. an increase in cost