levator

[ li-vey-ter, -tawr ]

noun

, plural lev·a·to·res [lev-, uh, -, tawr, -eez, -, tohr, -].

1. Anatomy. a muscle that raises a part of the body. Compare depressor.
2. Surgery. an instrument used to raise a depressed part of the skull.

levator

/ lɪˈveɪtə; -tɔː /

noun

1. anatomy any of various muscles that raise a part of the body
2. surgery an instrument for elevating a part or structure

Word History and Origins

Origin of levator¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of levator¹

C17: New Latin, from Latin levāre to raise

Example Sentences

The levator scapulae, or shoulder-shrugger muscles, can sometimes feel locked up, eliciting pain in the neck and shoulders.

From Washington Post

That disgusted snarl is controlled by a muscle called the levator labii superioris – the movement of which is seen as the unique facial expression for disgust.

From The Guardian

The result is that dogs gradually acquired a new forehead muscle named the levator anguli oculi medialis, or LAOM, and have used it to deploy the doleful look to devastating effect ever since.

From The Guardian

They spotted two striking differences: The levator anguli oculi medialis muscle, which raises the eyebrows, was highly developed in all of the dogs but barely there in wolves.

From Science Magazine

Another 41 percent suffered tears to their levator ani muscle, which forms the majority of the pelvic floor and is situated on either side of the pelvis.

From US News