Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EL'E-VATE, v.t. [L. elevo; e and levo, to raise; Fr. elever; Sp. elevar; It. elevare; Eng. to lift. See Lift.]

1. To raise, in a literal and general sense to raise from a low or deep place to a higher.
2. To exalt; to raise to a higher state or station; as, to elevate a man to an office.
3. To improve, refine or dignify; to raise from or above low conceptions; as, to elevate the mind.
4. To raise from a low or common state; to exalt; as, deuce the character; to elevate a nation.
5. To elate with pride. Milton.
6. To excite; to cheer; to animate; as, to elevate the spirits.
7. To take from; to detract; to lessen by detraction. [Not used.] Hooker.
8. To raise from any tone to one more acute; as, to elevate the voice.
9. To augment or swell; to make louder, as sound.