elevate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To lift or raise something to a higher position.

   The doctor told me that elevating my legs would reduce the swelling.

2. 2
   verb

   To raise someone to a higher rank or status.

   He was elevated to the position of chief executive.

3. 3
   verb

   To make something better, more important, or of greater value.

   A talented chef can elevate everyday ingredients into a fine meal.

4. 4
   verb

   To increase the level or intensity of something.

   Some drugs can elevate your blood sugar level.

From Middle English elevaten (“to raise up, erect; to elate, inflate (e.g. with pride); (alchemy) to vaporize; (of a bone, excressence, blood vessel) to protrude”), from elevat(e) (“(in physical elevation, in rank, in altitude above the horizon) high”, also used as the past participle of elevaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), further from Latin ēlevātus, the perfect passive participle of ēlevō (“to raise, lift up”), from ē- (“out”) + levō (“to make light, to lift”), from levis (“light”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see levity and lever.

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