Webster's English Dictionary

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lever

1. le.ver \'lev-*r, 'le--v*r\ n [ME, fr. OF levier, fr. lever to raise, fr. 
   L levare; akin to] L levis light in weight - more at LIGHT 1a: a bar used 
   for prying or dislodging something  1b: an inducing or compelling force : 
   TOOL  2a: a rigid piece that transmits and modifies force or motion when 
   forces a re applied at two points and it turns about a third; specif : a 
   rigid bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one point of its 
   length by the application of a force at a second and turning at a third on 
   a fulcrum 2b: a projecting piece by which a mechanism is operated or 
   adjusted 
2. lever \'lev-(*-)rin, 'le-v-\ vt or le.ver.ing 1: to pry, raise, or move 
   with or as if with a lever  2: to operate (a device) in the manner of a 
   lever