Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lifting device: A mechanical device consisting of a platform or compartment that moves vertically within a shaft to transport people or goods between different levels of a building.
   • A control surface on an aircraft: The movable airfoil, typically on the tailplane (horizontal stabilizer), that controls the aircraft's pitch, making it ascend or descend.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Lifting Device):
  • We took the elevator to the 50th floor.
  • The service elevator is used for moving furniture.
• Noun (Aircraft Part):
  • The pilot adjusted the elevator to begin the descent.
  • A malfunction in the elevator can affect the plane's stability.

Advanced Usage

• "To have an elevator pitch": To have a very brief, persuasive summary of an idea, product, or oneself, intended to be delivered in the short time span of an elevator ride.
  • She perfected her elevator pitch for the startup competition.
• "Elevator music": A term for the bland, instrumental background music often played in elevators, shopping malls, or on telephone hold systems.
  • The office lobby was filled with the sound of generic elevator music.

Variants and Related Words

• Elevate (verb): To raise or lift something up.
  • The exercise is designed to elevate your heart rate.
• Elevation (noun): The height of a place above sea level; or the act of raising something.
  • The city is at a high elevation.
• Elevator shoe (noun): A shoe with a hidden insert in the heel to make the wearer appear taller.
  • He wore elevator shoes to the interview.

Synonyms

• Lift (chiefly British English): A synonym for the building transport device.
  • Take the lift to the third floor.
• Hoist: A device for lifting heavy goods, not typically for people.
• Control surface (for the aircraft part): A general term for movable parts like ailerons and rudders.

Related Phrases

• "Going up/down?": A common question asked in an elevator regarding direction.
  • When the doors opened, he asked, "Going down?"
• "Elevator eyes" (idiomatic, informal): A disapproving look where someone visually scans another person's body from head to toe.
  • She felt uncomfortable under his elevator eyes.

Related Idioms

• "This elevator doesn't go to the top floor": A humorous or derogatory idiom suggesting someone is not very intelligent or is eccentric.
  • After his bizarre comment, I wondered if his elevator didn't go to the top floor.

Noun

1. the airfoil on the tailplane of an aircraft that makes it ascend or descend
2. lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building