[lev-er, lee-ver] 
| 1. | Mechanics. a rigid bar that pivots about one point and that is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third. Compare machine (def. 4b). |
| 2. | a means or agency of persuading or of achieving an end: Saying that the chairman of the board likes the plan is just a lever to get us to support it. |
| 3. | Horology. the pallet of an escapement. |
| 4. | to move with or apply a lever: to lever a rock; to lever mightily and to no avail. |
[lee-ver] | Charles James (“Cornelius O'Dowd”), 1806–72, Irish novelist and essayist. |
lev·er (lěv'ər, lē'vər)  (click for larger image in new window) n.
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.] |
| 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. |