Raise \Raise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raised; p. pr. & vb. n. Raising.]

[OE. reisen, Icel. reisa, causative of r[=i]sa to rise. See Rise, and cf. Rear to raise.]

1. To cause to rise; to bring from a lower to a higher place; to lift upward; to elevate; to heave; as, to raise a stone or weight. Hence, figuratively:
   (a) To bring to a higher condition or situation; to elevate in rank, dignity, and the like; to increase the value or estimation of; to promote; to exalt; to advance; to enhance; as, to raise from a low estate; to raise to office; to raise the price, and the like.

This gentleman came to be raised to great titles. --Clarendon.

The plate pieces of eight were raised three pence in the piece. --Sir W. Temple.
   (b) To increase the strength, vigor, or vehemence of; to excite; to intensify; to invigorate; to heighten; as, to raise the pulse; to raise the voice; to raise the spirits or the courage; to raise the heat of a furnace.
   (c) To elevate in degree according to some scale; as, to raise the pitch of the voice; to raise the temperature of a room.

2. To cause to rise up, or assume an erect position or posture; to set up; to make upright; as, to raise a mast or flagstaff. Hence:
   (a) To cause to spring up from recumbent position, from a state of quiet, or the like; to awaken; to arouse.

They shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. --Job xiv. 12.
   (b) To rouse to action; to stir up; to incite to tumult, struggle, or war; to excite.

He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind. --Ps. cvii. 25.

[AE]neas . . . employs his pains, In parts remote, to raise the Tuscan swains. --Dryden.
   (c) To bring up from the lower world; to call up, as a spirit from the world of spirits; to recall from death; to give life to.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead ? --Acts xxvi. 8.

3. To cause to arise, grow up, or come into being or to appear; to give to; to originate, produce, cause, effect, or the like. Hence, specifically:
   (a) To form by the accumulation of materials or constituent parts; to build up; to erect; as, to raise a lofty structure, a wall, a heap of stones.

I will raise forts against thee. --Isa. xxxix. 3.
   (b) To bring together; to collect; to levy; to get together or obtain for use or service; as, to raise money, troops, and the like. ``To raise up a rent.'' --Chaucer.
   (c) To cause to grow; to procure to be produced, bred, or propagated; to grow; as, to raise corn, barley, hops, etc.; toraise cattle. ``He raised sheep.'' ``He raised wheat where none grew before.'' --Johnson's Dict.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)