I. ˈeləˌvāt, -_və̇t adjective
Etymology: Middle English elevat, from Latin elevatus, past participle
archaic : elevated
II. ˈeləˌvāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English elevaten, from Latin elevatus, past participle of elevare to raise up, lighten, from e- + levare to raise, lighten — more at lever
transitive verb
1.
a. : to lift up in space : raise
materials are elevated to the top floor by a hoist
b. : to lift up (the Host) at Mass
c. : to cause (a structure) to be built : erect , rear
elevated a palace
d. : to cause to rise
the gas, being lighter than air, elevates the balloon
e. : to turn, aim, or direct upward
elevated his eyebrows, and looked at him in amazement — Oscar Wilde
f. : to increase markedly the degree or level of
elevate the temperature
2.
a.
(1) : to raise (a person) in rank, station, or dignity
the appeal of the frontier democracy which had elevated Andrew Jackson to the presidency — A.C.Cole
(2) : to advance (as an idea or activity) to a higher level of importance or significance
elevate an automatic movement of history to the position of supreme arbiter — John Dewey
b. : to improve or tend to improve (as in morality, taste, culture, or quality) : ennoble , exalt , refine
elevate backward peoples
elevate the art of reedworking into something more … wonderful than it really is — Ben Riker
claims the artist should not only entertain but elevate his audience
3. obsolete : to mitigate or lessen by depreciation or extenuation
4. : to cause (the voice) to rise
5. : to raise the spirits of : exhilarate , elate
the morning air of heaven refreshed and elevated me — W.H.Hudson †1922
: inspire fervor or excitement in
the subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner — Jane Austen
intransitive verb
: to raise the moral or intellectual faculties
contended that art and music not only entertain but elevate
Synonyms: see lift