1
- a rigid bar resting on a pivot, used to help move a heavy or firmly fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other杠杆。
1.1
- a projecting arm or handle that is moved to operate a mechanism（机械装置的）操作手柄, 控制杆, 操纵杆：
she pulled a lever at the base of the cage.
她拉了一下机器罩壳底座上的一根控制杆。
1.2
- figurative a means of exerting pressure on someone to act in a particular way〈喻〉（为使某人做某事而向其施加压力时所用的）手段, 方法：
rich countries increasingly use foreign aid as a lever to promote political pluralism.
富国越来越多地将对外援助用作推进政治多元化的手段。
with obj. and adverbial
1- lift or move with a lever用杠杆抬起（或移动）：
she levered the lid off the pot with a screwdriver.
她用螺丝刀把罐子的盖子撬开。
1.1
- move (someone or something) with a concerted physical effort（均衡地用力）移动：
she levered herself up against the pillows.
她紧靠着枕头把自己撑起来。
1.2
- no obj. use a lever用杠杆, 用撬杠撬：
the men got hold of the coffin and levered at it with crowbars.
那帮人找到那口棺材后用撬棒撬它。
- figurative exert pressure on (someone) to do something〈喻〉对…施加压力：
the Inspector made another attempt to lever a concrete fact from them.
警长再次施加压力, 想从他们嘴里挖出点儿具体事实来。
词源
Middle English: from Old French levier, leveor, from lever 'to lift'.