I. ˈle-vər, ˈlē- noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French levier, lever, from lever to raise, from Latin levare, from levis light in weight — more at light
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a bar used for prying or dislodging something
b. : an inducing or compelling force : tool
use food as a political lever — Time
2.
a. : a rigid piece that transmits and modifies force or motion when forces are applied at two points and it turns about a third ; specifically : a rigid bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one point of its length by the application of a force at a second and turning at a third on a fulcrum
b. : a projecting piece by which a mechanism is operated or adjusted
[
lever 2a
]
II. transitive verb
( le·vered ; le·ver·ing ˈle-və-riŋ, ˈlē-; ˈlev-riŋ, ˈlēv-)
Date: 1876
1. : to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever
2. : to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever