erect

¹erect

adjective \i-ˈrekt\

Definition of ERECT

1

a : vertical in position; also : not spread out or decumbent <an erect plant stem> <columns still erect in the ruins>

b : standing up or out from the body <erect hairs>

c : characterized by firm or rigid straightness in bodily posture <an erect bearing>

2

archaic : directed upward

3

obsolete : alert, watchful

4

: being in a state of physiological erection

— erect·ly \-ˈrek-(t)lē\ adverb

— erect·ness \-ˈrek(t)-nəs\ noun

Examples of ERECT

1. She sat erect, listening for her name.
2. <a lone tree remained erect after the terrible tornado had passed>

Origin of ERECT

Middle English, from Latin erectus, past participle of erigere to erect, from e- + regere to lead straight, guide — more at right

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ERECT

Synonyms

perpendicular, plumb, raised, standing, stand-up, upright, upstanding, vertical

Antonyms

flat, recumbent

Related Words

elevated, lifted, upended, upraised; semierect; freestanding, stand-alone

Near Antonyms

prostrate, supine; diagonal, hanging, sagging, slant, slanted, slanting, slanty

Rhymes with ERECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked

²erect

transitive verb

Definition of ERECT

1

a (1) : to put up by the fitting together of materials or parts : build (2) : to fix in an upright position (3) : to cause to stand up or stand out

b archaic : to direct upward

c : to change (an image) from an inverted to a normal position

2

: to elevate in status

3

: set up, establish

4

obsolete : encourage, embolden

5

: to draw or construct (as a perpendicular or figure) upon a given base

— erect·able \-ˈrek-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of ERECT

1. The city erected a statue in his honor.
2. They erected a marker over the grave.

First Known Use of ERECT

15th century

Related to ERECT

Synonyms

pitch, put up, raise, rear, set up, upend, upraise

Antonyms

demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down

Related Words

brace, buttress, prop (up), shore (up), support; boost, crane, elevate, heave, heft, heighten, hike, hoist, jack (up), lift, perk (up), pick up, up, uphold, uplift

Near Antonyms

demolish, flatten, knock down, level, raze, tear down

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

erect

adjective \i-ˈrekt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ERECT

1

: standing up or out from the body <erect hairs>

2

: being in a state of physiological erection