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 verb 1 : to cause or help to rise to a standing position
2 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 death
3 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 maturity
6 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 skin
14 : to increase the nominal value of fraudulently <raise a check>
15 : to articulate (a sound) with the tongue in a higher position
16 : to establish radio communication withintransitive verb 1 dialect : rise
2 : to increase a bet or bid

synonyms see lift

— rais·er noun

— raise Cain or raise hell 1 : to act wildly : create a disturbance
2 : 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>