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)
 

Raising \Rais"ing\, n.

1. The act of lifting, setting up, elevating, exalting, producing, or restoring to life.

2. Specifically, the operation or work of setting up the frame of a building; as, to help at a raising. [U.S.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)