lev
Latinlight, lift, raise
About This Root
From Latin levāre (to lift, raise) and its adjective levis (light in weight). The root spans two linked ideas: lifting something up, and the lightness that makes lifting easy. From it come elevate / elevator (raise up), lever / leverage (a lifting tool and its power), relieve / alleviate (lift a burden = make lighter), levity (lightness of mood), levy (raise/collect taxes or troops), and relevant (lift up to attention = bearing on the matter). Note: level is unrelated — it comes from Latin lībella (a small balance), not levāre.
Associated Words · 12
relevant
Directly connected to the matter at hand
relieve
To reduce pain or distress; to free from a burden
elevator
A mechanical device for carrying people or goods between floors of a building
elevate
To raise to a higher position; to promote to a higher rank
leverage
Power or advantage used to achieve a goal; to exploit something for maximum benefit
relevance
The quality of being connected to the matter at hand
elevation
Height above sea level; the act of raising to a higher position or rank
lever
A rigid bar used to lift or move things; to pry something open
alleviate
To reduce or lessen the severity of pain or difficulty
levee
An embankment built to prevent river flooding
levy
A compulsory tax or payment; to impose and collect taxes
levity
Treating serious matters too lightly; frivolity