Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

lev·er       (lěv'ər, lē'vər)  Pronunciation Key  (click for larger image in new window) n.   A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a fixed point and used to transmit force, as in raising or moving a weight at one end by pushing down on the other. A projecting handle used to adjust or operate a mechanism. A means of accomplishing; a tool: used friendship as a lever to obtain advancement. tr.v.   lev·ered, lev·er·ing, lev·ers To move or lift with or as if with a lever. [Middle English, from Old French levier, from lever, to raise, from Latin levāre, from levis, light; see legwh- in Indo-European roots.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
lever 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

lever
noun
1.	a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
2.	a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum
3.	a flat metal tumbler in a lever lock
verb
1.	to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open; "The burglar jimmied the lock": "Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail" [syn: pry]

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

lever       (lěv'ər)  Pronunciation Key  A simple machine consisting of a bar that pivots on a fixed support, or fulcrum, and is used to transmit torque. A force applied by pushing down on one end of the lever results in a force pushing up at the other end. If the fulcrum is not positioned in the middle of the lever, then the force applied to one end will not yield the same force on the other, since the torque must be the same on either side of the fulcrum. Levers, like gears, can thus be used to increase the force available from a mechanical power source. See more at fulcrum, See also mechanical advantage.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Lever

Lev"er\ (l[=e]"v[~e]r), a. [Old compar. of leve or lief.] More agreeable; more pleasing. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

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

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Lever

Lev"er\, adv. Rather. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

For lever had I die than see his deadly face. --Spenser.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Lever

Le"ver\ (l[=e]"v[~e]r or l[e^]v"[~e]r; 277), n. [OE. levour, OF. leveor, prop., a lifter, fr. F. lever to raise, L. levare; akin to levis light in weight, E. levity, and perh. to E. light not heavy: cf. F. levier. Cf. Alleviate, Elevate, Leaven, Legerdemain, Levee, Levy, n.]

1. (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.

2. (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.