I. ə̇ˈrekt, ēˈ- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin erectus, past participle of erigere to erect, from e- + -rigere (from regere to lead straight, guide, direct) — more at right
1.
a. : vertical in position : upright
he is in an erect position and flying parallel to the earth's surface — H.G.Armstrong
: standing
buried their dead erect
a column still erect amid the ruins
his armorial crest bore a sword erect proper
specifically : not spreading or decumbent
an erect stem
— contrasted with prone
b. : standing up or out from the body
hair erect from fright
c. of an image : normal rather than inverted in position : right side up
in this device the image is observed erect
d. : characterized by firm or rigid straightness in bodily posture : not leaning or bent : not slouching or stooped
the erect bearing of one … accustomed to official uniform — A. Conan Doyle
2. archaic : directed upward : uplifted
with face erect against the sun — George Chapman
3. obsolete : characterized by alertness : watchful
bid her well be … erect lest by some fair-appearing good surprised she dictate false — John Milton
4. : characterized by aspiration or rectitude : noble , upright
an erect mind
an erect life
5. : being in a state of physiological erection
• erect·ly adverb
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English erecten, from Latin erectus, past participle
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to put up (as a building or machine) by the fitting together of materials or parts : cause to stand ready for use : build
the settlers erected walls of field stones
when the state erects a new bridge
a building erected in 1920
specifically : to hoist and bolt in place fabricated parts of (a ship's structure) before riveting or welding
(2) : to fix in an upright position (as a statue, signpost, or plaque) : put up
erect a flagpole
erected a marker over the grave
(3) : to cause to stand up or out : raise
erected himself to full height
the porcupine erects its quills
erect the hood of the camera
an armorial crest bearing a ship at anchor, her oars erected
b. archaic : to direct upward : lift up
to stand with their mouths open and erected — Jonathan Swift
c. : to change (an image) from an inverted to a normal position
a microscope attachment that erects the image seen
2. : to elevate in status : raise to a higher office or dignity : exalt , magnify
erected the worship of nationality into a religion usurping the ancient religion — Hilaire Belloc
erect methods into dogmas
has been erected into a great poet of the 13th century — George Saintsbury
specifically : to hold up as an ideal
the doctrine which erects pleasure as the end of human action — G.D.H.Cole
3.
a. : to bring into existence as if by raising or building : set up
erect social barriers along religious lines
: establish
the attempt to erect political authority upon the basis of self-interest — John Dewey
: build up : develop
erect a complex philosophical system
erect a civilization
b. : to give legal existence to (as a unit of civil or church government) by a formal act of authority : constitute , create
Indiana and Illinois were erected into territories during Jefferson's first term — H.L.Mencken
the Holy See alone erects dioceses, cathedral churches, abbeys of monks or nuns, archconfraternities — Catholic Dict.
c. : to set up (a taxonomic category)
4. obsolete : to stir up (as the mind or spirits) : alert , encourage , embolden
better counsels might erect our minds and teach us to cast off this yoke — John Milton
5.
a. : to draw or construct (a perpendicular or figure) upon a given base
b. : to calculate (a horoscope) by astrology
intransitive verb
: to rise to an erect position : stand up or out
will make thy hair like … bristles to erect — Robert Burns
Synonyms: see build