raise

Definition

To cause to rise; to lift or elevate.

Etymology

From Middle English reysen, raisen, reisen, from Old Norse reisa (“to raise”), from Proto-Germanic *raisijaną, *raizijaną (“to raise”), causative form of Proto-Germanic *rīsaną (“to rise”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rey- (“to rise, arise”). According to Kroonen (2013), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃er- (“to stir, rise”). Cognate with Old English rāsian (“to explore, examine, research”), Old English rīsan (“to seize, carry off”), Old English rǣran (“to raise”). Doublet of rear.

Example Sentences

• "to raise your hand if you want to say something; to raise your walking stick to defend yourself"
• "the flag was raised"
• "With the completion of the preliminary work of raising bridges on the Mauldeth Road-Wilmslow line, to accommodate overhead electrical equipment, further work has been put in hand on bridges on the London Midland Region main line between Manchester and Crewe."