- lever
- c.1300, from O.Fr. levier "a lifter, a lever," agent noun from lever "to raise," from L. levare "to raise," from levis "light" in weight, from PIE base *le(n)gwh- "light, easy, agile, nimble" (cf. Skt. laghuh "quick, small;" Gk. elakhys "small," elaphros "light;" O.C.S. liguku, Lith. lengvas "light;" O.Ir. laigiu "smaller, worse;" Goth. leihts, O.E. leoht "light" (adj.)).