erect

[ih-rekt]

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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

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.

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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

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

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).

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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Origin of erect

Examples from the Web for erect

erect

adjective

verb (mainly tr)

Word Origin for erect

erect

erect

erect

adj.