elevator

plural elevators

1. Anything that raises or uplifts.

   Bulk loading of grain in progress from road to rail at Biggleswade using a portable elevator.

   1962 May, “Talking of Trains: Portable grain elevators at E.R. stations”, in Modern Railways, page 302, photo caption

   1 more example

   And then the foaming flagons raised on high, with that best of all beverages, that elevator of spirits, that foaming sunshine, that grand and glorious brew of ale.

   1902, Life, volume 39, page 559

2. AustraliaCanadaPhilippinesUSA permanent construction with a built-in platform or cab that can be raised and lowered, used to transport people and goods, as between different floors of a building.

   Synonyms: lift

3. USA silo used for storing wheat, corn or other grain (grain elevator).

   [W]hen a group of farmers started a co-op elevator, he invested in it, and persuaded business friends to do the same.

   1975, Larry Woiwode, Beyond the Bedroom Wall, page 28

   1 more example

   The harvest is now in full swing in the Great Plains and efforts are being made to rush the grain from the fields to the country elevators and then to the large terminals, such as Kansas City, Houston, Galveston and New Orleans.

   1964 June 16, “Surprise Strike Stops Traffic On 6 Railroads”, in The Indianapolis Star, volume 62, number 11, Indianapolis, Ind., page 3

4. aeronauticsA control surface of an aircraft responsible for controlling the pitching motion of the machine.
5. A dental instrument used to pry up ("elevate") teeth in difficult extractions, or depressed portions of bone.
6. anatomyAny muscle that serves to raise a part of the body, such as the leg or the eye.
7. A type of shoe having an insert lift to make the wearer appear taller.

present singular third person elevators · participle present elevatoring · participle past elevatored · past elevatored

1. informalintransitiveTo move in an elevator.

   He elevatored up to the third floor.