Lev"er, adv. Rather. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
For lever had I die than see his deadly
face.
Spenser.Le"ver (lē"vẽr or lĕv"ẽr;
277), 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.
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.
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.
Lev"er (lē"vẽr), a. [Old
compar. of leve or lief.] More agreeable; more
pleasing. [Obs.] Chaucer.
To be lever than. See Had as lief,
under Had.