pull

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English pullian; akin to Middle Low German pulen to shell, cull Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to exert force upon so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the force b. to stretch (cooling candy) repeatedly <

pull taffy

> c. to strain abnormally <

pull a tendon

> d. to hold back (a racehorse) from winning e. to work (an oar) by drawing back strongly 2. a. to draw out from the skin <

pull feathers from a rooster's tail

> b. to pluck from a plant or by the roots <

pull flowers

> <

pull turnips

> c. extract <

pull a tooth

> 3. to hit (a ball) toward the left from a right-handed swing or toward the right from a left-handed swing — compare push 4. to draw apart ; rend, tear 5. to print (as a proof) by impression 6. to remove from a place or situation <

pull the engine

> <

pulled the pitcher in the third inning

> <

pulled the show

> 7. to bring (a weapon) into the open <

pulled a knife

> 8. a. perform, carry out <

pull an all-nighter

> <

pull guard duty

> b. commit, perpetrate <

pull a robbery

> <

pull a prank

> 9. a. put on, assume <

pull a grin

> b. to act or behave in the manner of <

pulled a Horace Greely and went west — Steve Rushin

> 10. a. to draw the support or attention of ; attract <

pull votes

> — often used with in b. obtain, secure <

pulled a B in the course

> 11. to demand or obtain an advantage over someone by the assertion of <

pull rank

> intransitive verb 1. a. to use force in drawing, dragging, or tugging b. to move especially through the exercise of mechanical energy <

the car pulled clear of the rut

> c. (1) to take a drink (2) to draw hard in smoking <

pulled at a pipe

> d. to strain against the bit 2. to draw a gun 3. to admit of being pulled 4. to feel or express strong sympathy ; root <

pulling for my team to win

> 5. of an offensive lineman in football to move back from the line of scrimmage and toward one flank to provide blocking for a ballcarrier • puller noun II. noun Usage: often attributive Date: 14th century 1. a. the act or an instance of pulling b. (1) a draft of liquid (2) an inhalation of smoke c. the effort expended in moving <

a long pull uphill

> d. force required to overcome resistance to pulling <

a trigger with a four pound pull

> 2. a. advantage b. special influence 3. proof 6a 4. a device for pulling something or for operating by pulling <

a drawer pull

> 5. a force that attracts, compels, or influences ; attraction 6. an injury resulting from abnormal straining or stretching <

a muscle pull

> <

a groin pull

>