lifter
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A person who steals merchandise from a store: A thief who takes goods from a retail establishment without paying for them. 2. An athlete who competes in weightlifting: A person who lifts barbells as a sport, typically in competitions involving exercises like the snatch and the clean and jerk.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Thief):
- The store installed security cameras to deter shoplifters and other lifters.
- The security guard apprehended the lifter as she attempted to leave the store with concealed items.
- Noun (Athlete):
- The Olympic lifter broke the world record with her final attempt.
- He trained for years to become a professional weightlifter.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in specific compounds that clarify the meaning, such as "shoplifter" for the thief or "weightlifter" for the athlete. When used alone, "lifter" is less common and the context is essential for understanding.
- In engineering or mechanics, a "lifter" can refer to a device that raises or elevates something (e.g., a car lifter in a garage). This is a separate, technical meaning derived from the verb "to lift."
Variants and Related Words
- Shoplifter (n): The more common and specific term for a person who steals from a store.
- Weightlifter (n): The more common and specific term for an athlete in the sport of weightlifting.
- Lift (v): The root verb meaning to raise something to a higher position.
Synonyms
- For the thief meaning: Shoplifter, pilferer, stealer.
- For the athlete meaning: Weightlifter, strength athlete, powerlifter (a related but distinct sport).
Related Phrases
- To be caught red-handed: This idiom is often associated with the act of a lifter (shoplifter) being discovered in the act of stealing.
- The lifter was caught red-handed by the store detective.
Noun
- a thief who steals goods that are in a store
- an athlete who lifts barbells