elevator

/'eliveitə/
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elevator

A man presses the button to call the elevator.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A lifting device: A mechanical device consisting of a platform or compartment that moves vertically within a shaft to transport people or goods between different levels of a building.
    • A control surface on an aircraft: The movable airfoil, typically on the tailplane (horizontal stabilizer), that controls the aircraft's pitch, making it ascend or descend.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun (Lifting Device):
    • We took the elevator to the 50th floor.
    • The service elevator is used for moving furniture.
  • Noun (Aircraft Part):
    • The pilot adjusted the elevator to begin the descent.
    • A malfunction in the elevator can affect the plane's stability.
Advanced Usage
  • "To have an elevator pitch": To have a very brief, persuasive summary of an idea, product, or oneself, intended to be delivered in the short time span of an elevator ride.
    • She perfected her elevator pitch for the startup competition.
  • "Elevator music": A term for the bland, instrumental background music often played in elevators, shopping malls, or on telephone hold systems.
    • The office lobby was filled with the sound of generic elevator music.
Variants and Related Words
  • Elevate (verb): To raise or lift something up.
    • The exercise is designed to elevate your heart rate.
  • Elevation (noun): The height of a place above sea level; or the act of raising something.
    • The city is at a high elevation.
  • Elevator shoe (noun): A shoe with a hidden insert in the heel to make the wearer appear taller.
    • He wore elevator shoes to the interview.
Synonyms
  • Lift (chiefly British English): A synonym for the building transport device.
    • Take the lift to the third floor.
  • Hoist: A device for lifting heavy goods, not typically for people.
  • Control surface (for the aircraft part): A general term for movable parts like ailerons and rudders.
Related Phrases
  • "Going up/down?": A common question asked in an elevator regarding direction.
    • When the doors opened, he asked, "Going down?"
  • "Elevator eyes" (idiomatic, informal): A disapproving look where someone visually scans another person's body from head to toe.
    • She felt uncomfortable under his elevator eyes.
Related Idioms
  • "This elevator doesn't go to the top floor": A humorous or derogatory idiom suggesting someone is not very intelligent or is eccentric.
    • After his bizarre comment, I wondered if his elevator didn't go to the top floor.
elevator

A man presses the button to call the elevator.

Noun
  1. the airfoil on the tailplane of an aircraft that makes it ascend or descend
  2. lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building