Main Entry:

¹raise

Pronunciation:

\ˈrāz\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

raised; rais·ing

Etymology:

Middle English reisen, raisen, from Old Norse reisa — more at rear

Date:

13th century

transitive verb1: to cause or help to rise to a standing position2 a: awaken, arouse b: to stir up : incite <raise a rebellion> c: to flush (game) from cover d: to recall from or as if from death3 a: to set upright by lifting or building <raise a monument> b: to lift up <raise your hand> <raise sunken treasure> c: to place higher in rank or dignity : elevate d: heighten, invigorate <raise the spirits> e: to end or suspend the operation or validity of <raise a siege>4: to get together for a purpose : collect <raise funds>5 a: grow, cultivate <raise cotton> b: to bring to maturity : rear <raise a child> c: to breed and bring (an animal) to maturity6 a: to give rise to : provoke <raise a commotion> b: to give voice to <raise a cheer>7: to bring up for consideration or debate <raise an issue>8 a: to increase the strength, intensity, or pitch of <don't raise your voice> b: to increase the degree of c: to cause to rise in level or amount <raise the rent> d (1): to increase the amount of (a poker bet) (2): to bet more than (a previous bettor) e (1): to make a higher bridge bid in (a partner's suit) (2): to increase the bid of (one's partner)9: to make light and porous <raise dough>10: to cause to ascend <raise the dust>11: to multiply (a quantity) by itself a specified number of times <raise two to the fourth power>12: to bring in sight on the horizon by approaching <raise land>13 a: to bring up the nap of (cloth) b: to cause (as a blister) to form on the skin14: to increase the nominal value of fraudulently <raise a check>15: to articulate (a sound) with the tongue in a higher position16: to establish radio communication withintransitive verb1dialect : rise2: to increase a bet or bid

synonyms see lift

— rais·er noun

— raise Cain or raise hell

1: to act wildly : create a disturbance2: to scold or upbraid someone especially loudly <raised hell with the umpire>

— raise eyebrows

: to cause surprise or mild disapproval

— raise the bar

: to set a higher standard <new software that raises the bar for competitors>