Lever
['liːvə] or ['lɛvɚ]
Definition
(noun.) a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum.
(noun.) a flat metal tumbler in a lever lock.
(noun.) a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum.
Editor: Verna--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) More agreeable; more pleasing.
(adv.) Rather.
(n.) A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; -- used for transmitting and modifying force and motion. Specif., a bar of metal, wood, or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a fulcrum. It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is of three kinds, according as either the fulcrum F, the weight W, or the power P, respectively, is situated between the other two, as in the figures.
(n.) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
(n.) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
Checked by Carmen
Definition
adv. an obsolete comp. of lief.
n. a bar of metal or other substance turning on a support called the fulcrum or prop for imparting pressure or motion from a source of power to a resistance—of three kinds according to the relative positions of the power weight and fulcrum: (fig.) anything which exerts influence: any one of various tools on the principle defined above—in surgery dentistry &c.: a removable rod or bar inserted in a machine to be operated by hand leverage.—ns. Lē′verage the mechanical power gained by the use of the lever: advantage gained for any purpose; Lē′ver-watch a watch having a vibrating lever in the mechanism of the escapement.
Checker: Newman
Examples
- But still the disappointed father held a strong lever; and Fred felt as if he were being banished with a malediction. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Bradley came to him, sitting on his wooden lever, and asked what o'clock it was? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It might be 'sever,' or 'lever,' or 'never. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- By compressing or exhausting air through this tube it is obvious that the lever, N, will be raised or depressed, and the clockwork set going accordingly. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- The lever and the pulley, lathe s, picks, saws, hammers, bronze operating-lances, sundials, water-clocks, the gnomon (a vertical pillar for determining the sun's altitude) were in use. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- He discarded the original porte-rule and type of the transmitter for the key or lever, moved up and down by hand to complete or break the circuit. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The relay coils are connected by wire to the spring piece, S, and the armature lever is connected to earth. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- This had originally consisted of two levers, placed side by side. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- To stop the locomotive, the armature circuit was opened by the main switch, stopping the flow of current, and then brakes were applied by long levers. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Among these, are siphon pumps, the force pump of Ctesibius, a fire-pump, having two cylinders, and two pistons, valves, and levers. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I lay at full length along the deck with the levers and buttons of control before me. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Thus some very high wheels, with a small wheel in front, or one behind, wheels with levers in addition to the crank, etc. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The first organized typewriter in which separate key levers were provided for each type is a French invention. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The circular index plate _n_ had marked on it opposite the respective levers the letters and characters represented by said levers. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
Checked by Annabelle