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Leverage

//ˈlɛv(ə)ɹɪd͡ʒ// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A force compounded by means of a lever rotating around a pivot. uncountable, usually

    "A crowbar uses leverage to pry nails out of wood."

  2. 2
    investing with borrowed money as a way to amplify potential gains (at the risk of greater losses) wordnet
  3. 3
    Any influence which is compounded or used to gain an advantage. broadly, uncountable, usually

    "Try using competitors’ prices for leverage in the negotiation."

  4. 4
    strategic advantage; power to act effectively wordnet
  5. 5
    The use of borrowed funds with a contractually determined return to increase the ability to invest and earn an expected higher return, but usually at high risk. uncountable, usually

    "Leverage is great until something goes wrong with your investments and you still have to pay your debts."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    the mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever wordnet
  2. 7
    The debt-to-equity ratio. uncountable, usually

    "In such cases where there is a multiple capital structure the factor known as leverage comes into play."

  3. 8
    The ability to earn very high returns when operating at high-capacity utilization of a facility. uncountable, usually

    "Their variable-cost-reducing investments have dramatically increased their leverage."

  4. 9
    The distance of between an independent observation and other observations. uncountable, usually
Verb
  1. 1
    To use; to exploit; to manipulate in order to take full advantage (of something). US, slang, transitive

    "They plan to leverage the publicity into a good distribution agreement."

  2. 2
    provide with leverage wordnet
  3. 3
    supplement with leverage wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From lever + -age. The verb likely comes from martial arts/judo usage, where one would "use an opponent's leverage (i.e. their weight, height, centre of balance, etc.)" against them in order to defeat them.

Etymology 2

From lever + -age. The verb likely comes from martial arts/judo usage, where one would "use an opponent's leverage (i.e. their weight, height, centre of balance, etc.)" against them in order to defeat them.

See also for "leverage"

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