Main Entry:

²lift

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old Norse lypta; akin to Old English lyft air — more at loft

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to raise from a lower to a higher position : elevate b: to raise in rank or condition c: to raise in rate or amount2: to put an end to (a blockade or siege) by withdrawing or causing the withdrawal of investing forces3: revoke, rescind <lift an embargo>4 a: steal <had her purse lifted> b: plagiarize c: to take out of normal setting <lift a word out of context>5: to take up (as a root crop or transplants) from the ground6: to pay off (an obligation) <lift a mortgage>7: to move from one place to another (as by aircraft) : transport8: to take up (a fingerprint) from a surfaceintransitive verb1 a: ascend, rise <the rocket lifted off> b: to appear elevated (as above surrounding objects)2of inclement weather : to dissipate and clear

— lift·able \ˈlif-tə-bəl\ adjective

— lift·er noun

synonyms lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight <lift the chair while I vacuum>. raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position <scouts raising a flagpole>. rear may add an element of suddenness to raise <suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs>. elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied <elevated the taste of the public>. hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means <hoisted the cargo on board>. heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain <heaved the heavy crate inside>. boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push <boosted his brother over the fence>.