# erect

Pronunciation: say "i-REKT" /ɪˈɹɛkt/

## Adjective

1. Held upright and vertical, or reaching broadly upward.
   - Simple: Standing straight up and not leaning or bending over.
   - _A row of erect cypress trees lined the entrance to the villa._
   - _The dancer held her spine erect through every turn._
3. Stiffened and standing straight out from a surface, especially in response to stimulation such as cold or touch.
   - Simple: Firm and standing straight out, often because of cold or touch.
   - _Cold air left the fine hairs along her neck erect._
   - _The frightened porcupine held every quill erect._
4. Having a penis or clitoris that is firm and standing out from sexual arousal.
   - Simple: Having a stiff penis or clitoris because of sexual excitement.
   - _He remained erect long after their first kiss ended._
   - _Aroused, she found herself erect and sensitive to the lightest touch._
12. Watchful and alert, keeping close attention on what is happening.
   - Simple: Watching carefully and ready, not missing anything that happens.
13. Raised upward, as the tips of wings or the heads of serpents are shown lifted.
   - Simple: Raised and pointing upward, like a bird's lifted wings.
   - _The heraldic lion bore wings erect against a field of gold._
   - _In the design, two serpents appear with heads erect and tongues out._

## Verb

2. To put something up by fitting its materials or parts together.
   - Simple: To build something by joining its parts together.
   - _Workers erect the scaffolding before any painting begins._
   - _They erected a wooden frame for the new barn._
5. To raise something and set it in an upright or perpendicular position.
   - Simple: To lift something and set it standing straight up.
   - _Sailors erect the mast before leaving the harbor._
   - _The crew erected a tall antenna on the rooftop._
6. To make something rise and stand up or stand out.
   - Simple: To make something stand up or stick out.
   - _Some lizards erect a frill to frighten off rivals._
   - _The dog erected the hair along its spine._
7. Of the penis or clitoris, to become rigid and engorged through arousal.
   - Simple: Of a penis or clitoris, to become firm and stiff from sexual arousal.
   - _Under arousal, the penis begins to erect within seconds._
   - _The organ erects as blood inflow increases and outflow narrows._
8. To set up or establish something, such as an institution or organization.
   - Simple: To start or set up something new, like a group or system.
   - _The reformers sought to erect a new framework of government._
   - _They erected a foundation to support young artists._
9. To set up a claim or conclusion as following from given premises.
   - Simple: To build up a claim or conclusion from reasons or facts.
   - _From these axioms the philosopher tried to erect an entire theory of mind._
   - _He erected sweeping conclusions upon a single observation._
10. To raise up, elevate, or exalt; to hold someone or something in high honor.
   - Simple: To lift something up, or to praise and honor it highly.
   - _Ancient orators sought to erect the city's glory through their speeches._
   - _The chronicle erected the founder's deeds far above those of his rivals._
11. To animate, encourage, or cheer; to lift someone's spirits and give them fresh resolve.
   - Simple: To cheer someone up, or to give them courage and fresh energy.
   - _The general's speech erected his soldiers before the difficult march._
   - _Good news can erect even the most discouraged of minds._
14. Of a gyroscope or similar device, to spin up and align itself to the vertical.
   - Simple: To spin up and tilt into a straight upright position.
   - _After startup, the gyro takes several minutes to erect fully._
   - _The artificial horizon failed to erect, leaving the pilot without a level reference._
15. To cast or draw up an astrological chart of the heavens, such as a horoscope.
   - Simple: To work out and draw up a chart showing where the stars and planets sit.
   - _Before signing the lease, the merchant paid a local astrologer to erect a figure for the opening of his shop._
   - _Most modern practitioners erect charts with software, though a few still work them out from printed tables of planetary positions._

## Adjective

16. Directed upward; raised or uplifted toward a higher point. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Turned to face or point upward, toward the sky.
17. Bold and confident; free from low spirits; undismayed by trouble. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Feeling bold and confident, not sad or afraid.

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 3–4, 12–13, 16–17** — From Middle English erect, borrowed from Latin ērectus ("upright"), the past participle of ērigō ("raise, set up"), formed from ē- ("out") plus regō ("to direct or guide").
**Meanings 2, 5–11, 14–15** — From Middle English erecten, formed from the adjective erect (see above).

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/erect (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).