erect

ERECT', adjective [Latin erectus, from erigo, to set upright; e and rego, to stretch or make straight, right, rectus. See Right.] 1. Upright, or in a perpendicular posture; as, he stood erect 2. Directed upward. And suppliant hands, to heaven erect 3. Upright and firm; bold; unshaken. Let no vain fear thy generous ardor tame; But stand erect 4. Raised; stretched; intent; vigorous; as a vigilant and erect attention of mind in prayer. 5. Stretched; extended. 6. In botany, an erect stem is one which is without support from twining, or nearly perpendicular; an erect leaf is one which grows close to the stem; an erect flower has its aperture directed upwards. ERECT', verb transitive To raise and set in an upright or perpendicular direction, or nearly such; as, to erect a pole or flag-staff. To erect a perpendicular, is to set or form one line on another at right angles. 1. To raise, as a building; to set up; to build; as, to erect a house or temple; to erect a fort. 2. To set up or establish anew; to found; to form; as, to erect a kingdom or commonwealth; to erect a new system or theory. 3. To elevate; to exalt. I am far from pretending to infallibility; that would be to erect myself into an apostle. 4. To raise; to excite; to animate; to encourage. Why should not hope As much erect our thoughts, as fear deject them? 5. To raise a consequence from premises. [Little used.] Malebranche erects this proposition. 6. To extend; to distend. ERECT', verb intransitive To rise upright.