n. [ OE. levour, OF. leveor, prop., a lifter, fr. F. lever to raise, L. levare; akin to levis light in weight, E. levity, and perh. to E. light not heavy: cf. F. levier. Cf. Alleviate, Elevate, Leaven, Legerdemain, Levee, Levy, n. ] 1. (Mech.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mach.) (a) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it. (b) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compound lever, a machine consisting of two or more levers acting upon each other. --
Lever escapement. See Escapement. --
Lever jack. See Jack, n., 5. --
Lever watch, a watch having a vibrating lever to connect the action of the escape wheel with that of the balance. --
Universal lever, a machine formed by a combination of a lever with the wheel and axle, in such a manner as to convert the reciprocating motion of the lever into a continued rectilinear motion of some body to which the power is applied. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Old compar. of leve or lief. ] More agreeable; more pleasing. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be lever than. See Had as lief, under Had. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Rather. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

For lever had I die than see his deadly face. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The action of a lever; mechanical advantage gained by the lever. [ 1913 Webster ]

Leverage of a couple (Mech.), the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of two forces which act in parallel and opposite directions. --
Leverage of a force, the perpendicular distance from the line in which a force acts upon a body to a point about which the body may be supposed to turn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. levraut, dim. of lièvre hare, L. lepus. Cf. Leporine. ] (Zool.) A hare in the first year of its age. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Lark. ] A lark. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) The American hop hornbeam (Ostrya Virginica), a small tree with very tough wood. [ 1913 Webster ]