A machine with a platform or cabin that moves people or goods up and down between floors in a building. It is usually powered by electric motors and controlled by buttons.
From 'elevate' meaning 'to raise up,' plus the suffix '-or' indicating something that performs an action. 'Elevate' comes from Latin 'elevare,' from 'e-' (out) + 'levare' (to lighten, raise). The name appeared in the 19th century as vertical lifting machines became common.
Skyscrapers are only practical because of elevators; without this word and machine, modern city shapes would look completely different. Interestingly, British English often says 'lift' while American English prefers 'elevator,' so the same device gets two very different images: one of lifting, one of elevating. The fancier Latin-based word won in American business culture.
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