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Glite Dictionary
compound lever

compound lever

6.7
A system of two or more levers joined so force on one is passed and increased by the others
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒmpaʊnd ˈlɛvər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : palanca compuesta
  • A pair of scissors is an everyday example of a compound lever in action.

Examples

  • The engineer designed a compound lever to increase the output force with minimal input.

  • The mechanics class built a compound lever to demonstrate how forces can be multiplied.

  • By adjusting the arrangement, the compound lever provided greater mechanical advantage.

  • The engineer designed a new compound lever for the machine.

  • A compound lever can greatly increase efficiency.

  • A pair of scissors is an everyday example of a compound lever that makes cutting easier.

  • Using a compound lever, the team lifted heavy weights with minimal effort.

How Many Levers

compound lever
  • Specialized
6.7
lever
  • Specialized
88 1.2

Surface Forms

compound lever singular
compound levers plural

Morphology

compound + lever

The noun is transparently built from 'compound' (made of several parts) modifying 'lever' (a bar pivoting about a fulcrum), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a lever made of or combining multiple levers/parts. This compositional pattern is literal and common across languages and technical registers, so the meaning is predictable for a B1 learner familiar with the constituents.

Etymology

Compound lever comes from the words compound, meaning 'made of parts', and lever, a simple bar that turns on a point. When two or more levers are joined, a small push can become a much larger force, like in scissors, so the term means 'a machine made of two or more levers that increases force'.