I. ˈlift noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lyft
Date: before 12th century
chiefly Scottish : heavens, sky
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse lypta; akin to Old English lyft air — more at loft
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to raise from a lower to a higher position : elevate
b. : to raise in rank or condition
c. : to raise in rate or amount
2. : to put an end to (a blockade or siege) by withdrawing or causing the withdrawal of investing forces
3. : revoke , rescind
lift an embargo
4.
a. : steal
had her purse lift ed
b. : plagiarize
c. : to take out of normal setting
lift a word out of context
5. : to take up (as a root crop or transplants) from the ground
6. : to pay off (an obligation)
lift a mortgage
7. : to move from one place to another (as by aircraft) : transport
8. : to take up (a fingerprint) from a surface
intransitive verb
1.
a. : ascend , rise
the rocket lift ed off
b. : to appear elevated (as above surrounding objects)
2. of inclement weather : to dissipate and clear
• lift·able ˈlif-tə-bəl adjective
• lift·er noun
Synonyms:
lift , raise , rear , elevate , hoist , heave , boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight
lift the chair while I vacuum
raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position
scouts raising a flagpole
rear may add an element of suddenness to raise
suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs
elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied
elevated the taste of the public
hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means
hoisted the cargo on board
heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain
heaved the heavy crate inside
boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push
boosted his brother over the fence
III. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : the amount that may be lifted at one time : load
2.
a. : the action or an instance of lifting
b. : the action or an instance of rising
c. : elevated carriage (as of a body part)
d. : the lifting up (as of a dancer) usually by a partner
3. : a device (as a handle or latch) for lifting
4. : an act of stealing : theft
5.
a. : assistance , help
b. : a ride especially along one's way
6. : a layer in the heel of a shoe
7. : a rise or advance in position or condition
8. : a slight rise or elevation
9. : the distance or extent to which something rises
10. : an apparatus or machine used for hoisting: as
a. : a set of pumps used in a mine
b. chiefly British : elevator 1b
c. : an apparatus for raising an automobile (as for repair)
d. : ski lift
11.
a. : an elevating influence
b. : an elevation of the spirit
12.
a. : the component of the total aerodynamic force acting on an airplane or airfoil that is perpendicular to the relative wind and that for an airplane constitutes the upward force that opposes the pull of gravity
b. : an updraft that can be used to increase altitude (as of a sailplane)
13. : an organized movement of people, equipment, or supplies by some form of transportation ; especially : airlift