Raise Meaning
Raise Definition & Usage
To lift or move something to a higher position.
Examples
- "She raised the flag to the top of the pole."
- "The elevator will raise you to the top floor."
- "He raised his hand to ask a question."
- "They raised the chair to a more comfortable height."
- "Can you help me raise the box onto the shelf?"
To increase the level, amount, or value of something.
Examples
- "The company raised its prices by 10%."
- "We need to raise the funds for the new project."
- "They are raising awareness about climate change."
- "She raised the stakes in the game by doubling the bet."
- "The government plans to raise taxes next year."
To bring up a topic or issue for discussion.
Examples
- "I wanted to raise a concern about the meeting's agenda."
- "He raised an important point during the debate."
- "She raised the issue of working hours in the team meeting."
- "At the conference, the panel raised the issue of sustainability."
- "They raised the question of whether to proceed with the project."
To care for and nurture someone or something, especially a child or animal.
Examples
- "They raised three children in a small town."
- "She raised a litter of puppies last year."
- "Parents often raise their children to be responsible and respectful."
- "He raised the chicken from a chick to full size."
- "The organization raises orphaned animals until they are ready to return to the wild."
To summon or call up (a person, spirit, or emotion).
Examples
- "The wizard raised the spirits of the ancestors."
- "His speech raised the spirits of the crowd."
- "The movie raised a lot of emotions in the audience."
- "The storm raised a great sense of fear in the village."
- "Her performance raised the energy of the entire room."
Cultural Context
The word 'raise' has been used for centuries in various contexts. It comes from the Old French 'raiser' and the Latin word 'rectus', meaning 'to lift'. It has a broad application in everyday speech, especially in contexts like finance (raising funds), family (raising children), and education (raising hands).
Raising the Stakes
Story
Raising the Stakes
In a small town known for its community spirit, a group of friends gathered to plan a fundraiser for a local animal shelter. The shelter had been struggling for months, and it was up to the group to raise enough money to keep it open. 'We need to raise awareness,' said Sarah, one of the organizers, 'and more importantly, we need to raise the funds to help these animals.' She was determined to lift the shelter's spirits and ensure that the animals had a safe place to stay. That evening, they raised the stakes of their event by offering a grand prize for the highest bidder. The excitement in the air was palpable as the team worked hard to raise donations and spread the word. Later, while discussing the logistics, Emma raised a concern about the venue, 'What if it rains on the day of the event?' she asked. Sarah reassured her, 'Don't worry, we’ve got a backup plan. But we need to raise our expectations. This event is going to be bigger than we imagined.' On the day of the fundraiser, the town hall was buzzing with energy. As the bids rolled in, they could see the raised amounts slowly inching toward their goal. Everyone was invested, not just in the money, but in the cause. They weren’t just raising funds—they were raising the community’s awareness about the plight of the animals. As the event came to an end, the total raised exceeded their expectations. The joy of having raised so much money for a good cause was shared by all, and Sarah smiled, knowing they had achieved more than just a financial goal—they had raised the spirits of the entire town. The animals, too, would be raised from their cages into loving homes, thanks to everyone’s effort.
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