leverage English · revision 15348

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1724}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlɛv.(ə.)ɹɪd͡ʒ/, /ˈliːv.(ə.)ɹɪd͡ʒ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|lever|-age]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of a lever: 1724 in Etymonline and the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The power of a lever, the mechanical advantage it gives, is from 1827 in Etymonline, 1830 in the OED and Merriam-Webster.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) The figurative sense, an advantage for achieving a purpose, is from 1858.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The financial sense, the use of loans or credit to increase the return on an investment, is attested by 1931–33, American English;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) the verb in this sense is from 1937 in the OED and 1956 in Etymonline,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the general verb, to use something to maximum advantage, is newer.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1724 – the action of a lever.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1827 – the power of a lever.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1858 – advantage, influence.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1931 – financial leverage.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1937 – to leverage (verb).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Power to influence people or events; strategic advantage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The action of a [[lever]], or the mechanical advantage it gives.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(finance)'' The use of loans or credit to increase the potential return on an [[investment]]; the ratio of debt to equity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To use borrowed money to finance an investment or company.^(AHD)

+ # To make the most of something for gain.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[unleveraged]]

+ * [[leveraged buyout]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lever]]

+ * [[levitate]]

+ * [[elevate]]

+ * [[relieve]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}