elevate
/ˈɛləˌveɪt/
verb
Origin
Latin
elevatus — lifted up
Overview
Meaning Now
- To raise or lift something to a higher position.
- To raise to a more important or impressive level or rank.
- To improve the moral, intellectual, or cultural level of someone or something.
Literal older meaning
to lift out or up
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
elevate
Earliest period
late 15th century
Journey
The word entered English during the Renaissance, reflecting the period's interest in classical Latin vocabulary to describe status, physical elevation, and moral improvement.
Evolution
- Latin
elevare
“to lift up, raise”
- Latin
elevatus
“past participle of elevare”
- Middle French
élever
“to raise”
- Early Modern English
elevate
“to raise or lift”
Direct borrowing from Latin
Connections
Word parts
e-
prefix
out of
lev
root
light, to lift
-ate
suffix
verb-forming suffix
Related across languages
French
élever
to raise
Spanish
elevar
to raise
Italian
elevare
to raise
Explore next
Related to elevate
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.