lever
Other forms: levers; levering; levered
A lever is a handle, sticking out at an angle, that allows you to operate a machine or close a door. When you pull the lever of a voting booth, you both cast your ballot and open the curtain.
All kinds of things — particularly machines — have levers. The word is also used to describe anything that you are able to use to move or influence someone else: think leverage. A headline in The New York Times said the government would use its contracts with private companies as a "wage lever," meaning the government would try to improve wages by giving work and money to companies that paid well and provided generous benefits. Levers get things done.
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a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrumtype of:machine, simple machinea device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point
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a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrumtypes:compound levera pair of levers hinged at the fulcrumhand throttlea hand-operated lever that controls the throttle valvekeya lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressedpinch bara lever with a pointed projection that serves as a fulcrum; used to roll heavy wheelsripping bara steel lever with one end formed into a ripping chisel and the other a gooseneck with a claw for pulling nailsrocker arm, valve rockera lever pivoted at the center; used especially to push a valve down in an internal-combustion enginespark lever(on early automobiles) a lever mounted on the steering column and used to adjust the timing of the ignitioncontrol stick, joystick, sticka lever used by a pilot to control the ailerons and elevators of an airplanetappeta lever that is moved in order to tap something elsetillerlever used to turn the rudder on a boattire iron, tire toolhand tool consisting of a lever that is used to force the casing of a pneumatic tire onto a steel wheelaccelerator, accelerator pedal, gas, gas pedal, gun, throttlea pedal that controls the throttle valvebrake pedalfoot pedal that moves a piston in the master brake cylindercant hooka peavey having a hook instead of a spike; used for handling logsclutch, clutch pedala pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanismcommand key, control key(computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control charactershair triggera gun trigger that responds with little pressurejim crowa crowbar fitted with a claw for pulling nailsnutcrackera compound lever used to crack nuts openpair of pliers, pliers, plyersa gripping hand tool with two hinged arms and (usually) serrated jawsreturn, return keythe key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feedshift, shift keythe key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letterssoft pedala pedal on a piano that moves the action closer to the strings and so soften the soundspace barthe bar-shaped typewriter key that introduces spaces when usedloud pedal, sustaining pedala pedal on a piano that lifts the dampers from the strings and so allows them to continue vibratingtelegraph keykey consisting of a lever that sends a telegraph signal when it is depressed and the circuit is closedtype of:bara rigid piece of metal or wood; usually used as a fastening or obstruction or weapon
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a flat metal tumbler in a lever locksynonyms: lever tumblertype of:tumblera movable obstruction in a lock that must be adjusted to a given position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown
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move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
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Vocabulary lists containing lever
Word Generation Science is a program combining vocabulary with a multidisciplinary discussion of various science topics. Here are links to the word lists for Word Generation Science: Scientific Thinking, Preparing a Scientific Investigation, Measurement, Life Science, Energy, Introductory Chemistry Concepts.
Review this list of words related to force and motion and make a big impact on your vocabulary. With a little time and energy, you'll learn all about friction, gravity, momentum, and more. Resistance is futile!
Review this list of words related to force and motion and make a big impact on your vocabulary. With a little time and energy, you'll learn all about friction, gravity, momentum, and more. Resistance is futile!