Lift v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lifting.]
1. To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support or holding in the higher place; -- said of material things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair or a burden.
2. To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; -- often with up.
The Roman virtues lift up mortal man. --Addison.
Lest, being lifted up with pride. --1 Tim. iii. 6.
3. To bear; to support. [Obs.]
4. To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
5. To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle.
Note: ☞ In old writers, lift is sometimes used for lifted.
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered. --Shak.
To lift up, to raise or elevate; in the Scriptures, specifically, to elevate upon the cross. --John viii. 28.
To lift up the eyes. To look up; to raise the eyes, as in prayer. --Ps. cxxi. 1.
To lift up the feet, to come speedily to one's relief. --Ps. lxxiv. 3.
To lift up the hand. (a) To take an oath. --Gen. xiv. 22. (b) To pray. --Ps. xxviii. 2. (c) To engage in duty. --Heb. xii. 12.
To lift up the hand against, to rebel against; to assault; to attack; to injure; to oppress. --Job xxxi. 21.
To lift up one's head, to cause one to be exalted or to rejoice. --Gen. xl. 13. --Luke xxi. 28.
To lift up the heel against, to treat with insolence or unkindness. --John xiii.18.
To lift up the voice, to cry aloud; to call out. --Gen. xxi. 16.
Lift·ing, a. Used in, or for, or by, lifting.
Lifting bridge, a lift bridge.
Lifting jack. See 2d Jack, 5.
Lifting machine. See Health lift, under Health.
Lifting pump. Mach. (a) A kind of pump having a bucket, or valved piston, instead of a solid piston, for drawing water and lifting it to a high level. (b) A pump which lifts the water only to the top of the pump, or delivers it through a spout; a lift pump.
Lifting rod, a vertical rod lifted by a rock shaft, and imparting motion to a puppet valve; -- used in the engines of river steamboats.
Lifting sail Naut., one which tends to lift a vessel's bow out of water, as jibs and square foresails.
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