levitate

verb — 2 senses

levitate

verb

/ˈlɛvɪteɪt/

Etymology First attested in 1673; borrowed from New Latin levitātus, perfect passive participle of levitō (“to levitate; to have one's motion directed upward, as opposed to the downward motion induced by gravity”) (first attested c. 1670), modeled on gravitō (“to gravitate”) (← Latin gravis (“heavy”)), from levis (“light”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

1

To cause to rise in the air and float, as if in defiance of gravity.

  • The magician levitated the woman.
2

To be suspended in the air, as if in defiance of gravity.

  • The guru claimed that he could levitate.
Derived terms
levitation, levitator

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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