LEVER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Lever

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/lˈɛvər/ /lˈivər/ Listen

noun

Lever n.

(Mech.) A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; used for transmitting and modifying force and motion. Specif., a bar of metal, wood, or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a fulcrum. It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is of three kinds, according as either the fulcrum F, the weight W, or the power P, respectively, is situated between the other two, as in the figures.

(Mach.)

(a)

A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.

(b)

An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.

Compound lever, a machine consisting of two or more levers acting upon each other.

Lever escapement. See Escapement.

Lever jack. See Jack, n., 5.

Lever watch, a watch having a vibrating lever to connect the action of the escape wheel with that of the balance.

Universal lever, a machine formed by a combination of a lever with the wheel and axle, in such a manner as to convert the reciprocating motion of the lever into a continued rectilinear motion of some body to which the power is applied.

adjective

Lever adj. More agreeable; more pleasing. (Obs.)

To be lever than. See Had as lief, under Had.

adverb

Lever adv. Rather. (Obs.) "For lever had I die than see his deadly face."

See images of 'Lever'

Etymology of 'Lever'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Lever" Quotes from Famous Books

... think we are all ready," he muttered, as, stepping back to the platform of his own car, he grasped the coupling lever firmly with both hands, giving it a ...

— The Circus Boys on the Plains • Edgar B. P. Darlington

... to the idea of a great European expedition against the infidel, of which he was to be the chief commander. Inspired by John XXII., he took the cross, made preparations for an early start, and invoked Edward's co-operation. Edward cleverly utilised his kinsman's zeal as another lever for enforcing the settlement of outstanding differences. "Tell your master," he said to the French ambassador, Peter Roger, now Archbishop of Rouen, "that when he has fulfilled his promises, I will be more eager ...

— The History of England - From the Accession of Henry III. to the Death of Edward III. (1216-1377) • T.F. Tout

... non-conductor (or, if it respond in any way, however infinitesimally, it does not perceptibly affect my plate, and in no way my argument), leaves me the absolute control of this wood, and I proceed to lay an English lever watch on several places of it, keeping my ear near to that nodal point where I know will come the inner bout, or D of the violin, consequently the bridge, which I mark with a X. The tick-tack of the watch varies in strength as I get farther from or nearer to a nodal point, as, of ...

— Violin Making - 'The Strad' Library, No. IX. • Walter H. Mayson

... by loosening as large a stone as possible with the foot, and with this stone as a battering-ram another and larger one is loosened, which in turn serves as the battering-ram to loosen the others. Often it is found necessary to use a narrow, wedge-like stone as a lever, or to force the other stones apart. The cache is always made more conspicuous by leaving the antlers ...

— Schwatka's Search • William H. Gilder

... dubious aristocrats and anti-modernists. Nothing could be cheaper or less pointed. And the insertion of it is all the stranger because, elsewhere, there is something very similar, in subject and tendency, but of half the length and ten times the wit, in "Le Petit Lever," a conversation between a ...

— A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2 - To the Close of the 19th Century • George Saintsbury

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