I. ˈpu̇l also ˈpəl verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English pullian; akin to Middle Low German pulen to shell, cull
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to exert force upon so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the force
b. : to stretch (cooling candy) repeatedly
pull taffy
c. : to strain abnormally
pull a tendon
d. : to hold back (a racehorse) from winning
e. : to work (an oar) by drawing back strongly
2.
a. : to draw out from the skin
pull feathers from a rooster's tail
b. : to pluck from a plant or by the roots
pull flowers
pull turnips
c. : extract
pull a tooth
3. : to hit (a ball) toward the left from a right-handed swing or toward the right from a left-handed swing — compare push
4. : to draw apart : rend , tear
5. : to print (as a proof) by impression
6. : to remove from a place or situation
pull the engine
pull ed the pitcher in the third inning
pull ed the show
7. : to bring (a weapon) into the open
pull ed a knife
8.
a. : perform , carry out
pull an all-nighter
pull guard duty
b. : commit , perpetrate
pull a robbery
pull a prank
9.
a. : put on , assume
pull a grin
b. : to act or behave in the manner of
pull ed a Horace Greely and went west — Steve Rushin
10.
a. : to draw the support or attention of : attract
pull votes
— often used with in
b. : obtain , secure
pull ed a B in the course
11. : to demand or obtain an advantage over someone by the assertion of
pull rank
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to use force in drawing, dragging, or tugging
b. : to move especially through the exercise of mechanical energy
the car pull ed clear of the rut
c.
(1) : to take a drink
(2) : to draw hard in smoking
pull ed at a pipe
d. : to strain against the bit
2. : to draw a gun
3. : to admit of being pulled
4. : to feel or express strong sympathy : root
pull ing for my team to win
5. of an offensive lineman in football : to move back from the line of scrimmage and toward one flank to provide blocking for a ballcarrier
• pull·er noun
•
- pull a face
- pull a fast one
- pull punches
- pull oneself together
- pull one's leg
- pull one's weight
- pull stakes
- pull strings
- pull the plug
- pull the rug from under
- pull the string
- pull the trigger
- pull the wool over one's eyes
- pull together
II. noun
Usage: often attributive
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the act or an instance of pulling
b.
(1) : a draft of liquid
(2) : an inhalation of smoke
c. : the effort expended in moving
a long pull uphill
d. : force required to overcome resistance to pulling
a trigger with a four pound pull
2.
a. : advantage
b. : special influence
3. : proof 6a
4. : a device for pulling something or for operating by pulling
a drawer pull
5. : a force that attracts, compels, or influences : attraction
6. : an injury resulting from abnormal straining or stretching
a muscle pull
a groin pull