I. i-ˈrekt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin erectus, past participle of erigere to erect, from e- + regere to lead straight, guide — more at right
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : vertical in position ; also : not spread out or decumbent
an erect plant stem
columns still erect in the ruins
b. : standing up or out from the body
erect hairs
c. : characterized by firm or rigid straightness in bodily posture
an erect bearing
2. archaic : directed upward
3. obsolete : alert , watchful
4. : being in a state of physiological erection
• erect·ly -ˈrek-(t)lē adverb
• erect·ness -ˈrek(t)-nəs noun
II. transitive verb
Date: 15th century
1.
a.
(1) : to put up by the fitting together of materials or parts : build
(2) : to fix in an upright position
(3) : to cause to stand up or stand out
b. archaic : to direct upward
c. : to change (an image) from an inverted to a normal position
2. : to elevate in status
3. : set up , establish
4. obsolete : encourage , embolden
5. : to draw or construct (as a perpendicular or figure) upon a given base
• erect·able -ˈrek-tə-bəl adjective