erect

[ ih-rekt ]

/ ɪˈrɛkt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR erect ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

upright in position or posture: to stand or sit erect.

raised or directed upward: a dog with ears erect.

Botany. vertical throughout; not spreading or declined: an erect stem; an erect leaf or ovule.

Heraldry.

(of a charge) represented palewise: a sword erect.
(of an animal or part of an animal) represented upright: a boar's head erect.

Optics. (of an image) having the same position as the object; not inverted.

verb (used with object)

to build; construct; raise: to erect a house.

to raise and set in an upright or vertical position: to erect a telegraph pole.

to set up or establish, as an institution; found.

to bring about; cause to come into existence: to erect barriers to progress.

Geometry. to draw or construct (a line or figure) upon a given line, base, or the like.

to form or create legally (usually followed by into): to erect a territory into a state.

Optics. to change (an inverted image) to the normal position.

Machinery. to assemble; make ready for use.

verb (used without object)

to become erect; stand up or out.

Nearby words

erebus, mount, erech, erechim, erechtheum, erechtheus, erect, erectile, erectile dysfunction, erectile impotence, erectile tissue, erecting prism

Origin of erect

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin ērēctus raised up (past participle of ērigere), equivalent to ē- e-¹ + reg- guide, direct (see royal) + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR erect

1 standing, vertical. See upright.

6 upraise.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR erect ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR erect

1 reclining.

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Related forms

e·rect·a·ble, adjectivee·rect·ly, adverbe·rect·ness, nounnon·e·rect·ing, adjective

pre·e·rect, verb (used with object)re·e·rect, verb (used with object)self-e·rect·ed, adjectivesem·i·e·rect, adjectivesem·i·e·rect·ly, adverbsem·i·e·rect·ness, nounsub·e·rect, adjectivesub·e·rect·ly, adverbsub·e·rect·ness, nounun·e·rect, adjectiveun·e·rect·ed, adjectivewell-e·rect·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for erect

The original metaphor was: erect a wall to keep the garden of the church free from the wilderness of politics.
Dear Evangelicals: You’re Being Had|Jay Michaelson|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, the effort to erect the Obamacare infrastructure is creating a large number of private-sector positions.
Technology Firms Staff Up to Build Health-Insurance Exchanges|Miranda Green|August 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After a while, it will seem natural to erect a canopy to shield the worshipers from the elements.
Think Twice About Jews On The Temple Mount|Edward S. Goldstein|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Carroll hopes to erect a plaque in her former home and at the hotel where she also lived.
Meet America’s Indiana Jones: Andrew Carroll Searches for Forgotten History Across the U.S.|Nina Strochlic|May 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Mr. Netanyahu has pledged to erect a similar barrier along the Syrian frontier, with changes to suit the topography.
Israel Building a Syrian Border Fence|David Frum|January 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If they could not make such a peace, they were to erect a fort on the Rappahannock River or between it and the York.
Virginia Under Charles I And Cromwell, 1625-1660|Wilcomb E. Washburn
His tall, straight form, erect and slim, swung toward them over the ice.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930|Various
These last combine the erect bush-like habit of growth with the dwarfness of the Cupid.
Abstracts of Papers Read at the First International Eugenics Congress|Various
Simcoe is going to erect a fort in our territories, and the President has declared that he will repel the attempt.
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. I (of 16)|Thomas Hart Benton
Elsa held the central place, and her little head was erect and proud.
The King's Mirror|Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for erect

erect

/ (ɪˈrɛkt) /

adjective

upright in posture or position; not bent or leaningan erect stance

(of an optical image) having the same orientation as the object; not inverted

physiol (of the penis, clitoris, or nipples) firm or rigid after swelling with blood, esp as a result of sexual excitement

(of plant parts) growing vertically or at right angles to the parts from which they arise

verb (mainly tr)

to put up; construct; build

to raise to an upright position; lift upto erect a flagpole

to found or form; set up

(also intr) physiol to become or cause to become firm or rigid by filling with blood

to hold up as an ideal; exalt

optics to change (an inverted image) to an upright position

to draw or construct (a line, figure, etc) on a given line or figure, esp at right angles to it

Derived Formserectable, adjectiveerectly, adverberectness, noun

Word Origin for erect

C14: from Latin ērigere to set up, from regere to control, govern

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for erect (1 of 2)

erect

adj.

late 14c., "upright, not bending," from Latin erectus "upright, elevated, lofty; eager, alert, aroused," past participle of erigere "raise or set up," from e- "up" + regere "to direct, keep straight, guide" (see regal).

Word Origin and History for erect (1 of 2)

erect

c.1400, a back-formation from erect (adj.) or else from Latin erectus. Related: Erected; erecting.

Medicine definitions for erect

erect

[ ĭ-rĕkt′ ]

adj.

Being in or having a vertical, upright position.

Being in or having a stiff, rigid physiological condition.

erect

adjective

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of erect

Examples from the Web for erect

British Dictionary definitions for erect

erect

adjective

verb (mainly tr)

Word Origin for erect

Word Origin and History for erect (1 of 2)

erect

Word Origin and History for erect (1 of 2)

erect

Medicine definitions for erect

erect

adj.