Dictionary
lev•er•age
Pronunciation: (lev'ur-ij, lē'vur-), [key]
—n., v., -aged, -ag•ing.
—
n.
1. the action of a lever.
2. the mechanical advantage or power gained by using a lever.
3. power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions, etc.; sway:
Being the only industry in town gave the company considerable leverage in its union negotiations.
4. the use of a small initial investment, credit, or borrowed funds to gain a very high return in relation to one's investment, to control a much larger investment, or to reduce one's own liability for any loss.
—
v.t.
1. to exert power or influence on.
2. to provide with leverage.
3. to invest or arrange (invested funds) using leverage.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.