levator
[li-vey-ter, -tawr]
- Anatomy. a muscle that raises a part of the body.Compare depressor.
- Surgery. an instrument used to raise a depressed part of the skull.
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Origin of levator
1605–15; < New Latin, special use of Medieval Latin levātor one who raises (levies) recruits or taxes (Latin: mitigator), equivalent to Latin levā(re) to raise + -tor -tor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for levator
Historical Examples
Levator muscles that raise an organ, and Depressors that depress it.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4)William Kirby
The right eye was partially closed, but could be opened by the levator palpebræ superioris.
Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900George Henry Makins
The levator palpebræ superioris acted very slightly; the right, however, better than the left.
Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900George Henry Makins
The levator palpebræ was normal, but spasm of the orbicularis held the eye firmly closed.
Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900George Henry Makins
The levator coccygis, together with the two muscles mentioned above, is responsible for elevation of the tail.
Phylogeny of the Waxwings and Allied BirdsM. Dale Arvey
levator
- anatomy any of various muscles that raise a part of the body
- surgery an instrument for elevating a part or structure
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Word Origin
C17: New Latin, from Latin levāre to raise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for levator
n.
from medical Latin levator "a lifter," from Latin levatus, past participle of levare "to raise" (see lever).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
levator
(lə-vā′tər)- A surgical instrument for lifting the depressed fragments of a fractured skull.
- A muscle that raises a body part.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.