from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lift \Lift\, n.
1. Act of lifting; also, that which is lifted.
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2. The space or distance through which anything is lifted;
as, a long lift. --Bacon.
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3. Help; assistance, as by lifting. Hence: A ride in a
vehicle, given by the vehicle's owner to another person as
a favor -- usually in "give a lift" or "got a lift"; as,
to give one a lift in a wagon; Jack gave me a lift into
town. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster +PJC]
The goat gives the fox a lift. --L'Estrange.
4. That by means of which a person or thing lifts or is
lifted; as:
(a) A hoisting machine; an elevator; a dumb waiter.
[Chiefly Brit.]
(b) An exercising machine.
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5. A rise; a degree of elevation; as, the lift of a lock in
canals.
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6. A lift gate. See {Lift gate}, below. [Prov. Eng.]
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7. (Naut.) A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity
of a yard below; -- used for raising or supporting the end
of the yard.
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8. (Mach.) One of the steps of a cone pulley.
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9. (Shoemaking) A layer of leather in the heel.
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10. (Horology) That portion of the vibration of a balance
during which the impulse is given. --Saunier.
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11. A brightening of the spirits; encouragement; as, the
campaign workers got a lift from the President's
endorsement.
[PJC]
{Dead lift}. See under {Dead}. --Swift.
{Lift bridge}, a kind of drawbridge, the movable part of
which is lifted, instead of being drawn aside.
{Lift gate}, a gate that is opened by lifting.
{Lift hammer}. See {Tilt hammer}.
{Lift lock}, a canal lock.
{Lift pump}, a lifting pump.
{Lift tenter} (Windmills), a governor for regulating the
speed by adjusting the sails, or for adjusting the action
of grinding machinery according to the speed.
{Lift wall} (Canal Lock), the cross wall at the head of the
lock.
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