lever

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“
He proposes an inquiry with regard to the lever--namely, whether in a balance with arms of different length but equal weight the distance from the fulcrum has any effect upon the inclination,--though the theory of the lever was as well understood in his own time as it is now.

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Definitions (41)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. 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.
  2. noun A projecting handle used to adjust or operate a mechanism.
  3. noun A means of accomplishing; a tool: used friendship as a lever to obtain advancement.
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Examples (50)

  • This lever is actuated through the agency of two small pins carried by an arm projecting from the press-lever, PL. As the latter moves up and down the pins play upon the under side of the lower arm of the rocking- lever, thus canting it and pushing the type-wheels to the right or left, as the case may be. —  Edison, His Life and Inventions
  • He glanced at the handlebars and noticed that the lever was all the way to the metal. —  The Lesson of Her Death
  • It's a loose fit and the lever should be able to swivel freely. —  Captain of a Crew of One
  • Sid learns his invention is actually a simple machine called a lever, which is not only useful for launching toys, but can also help lift up really heavy things. email reminder
  • A little to the left of this lever was a small blade of steel, curved to fit the convex hull,--which it hugged closely,--and hinged at its forward edge. —  "Where Angels Fear to Tread" and Other Stories of the Sea
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Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

latch ·  valve ·  screw ·  pin ·  bolt ·  switch ·  rod ·  cylinder ·  assembly ·  knob ·  lock ·  slide

Used in the same contextWord Family

lever:   levers

Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English, from Old French levier, from lever, to raise, from Latin levāre, from levis, light; see legwh- in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. Formerly also leaver; from Middle English lever, levour, a lever, from Old French leveor, leveur, French leveur, a lifter, a lever (also Old French and F. levier, a lever, with different suffix), from Latin levator, a lifter, from levare, past participle levatus, raise: see levant.
  2. from lever, n.
 

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/ˈlɛvər/
by American Heritage

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