Literary notes about leverage (AI summary)
The word “leverage” in literature demonstrates remarkable versatility, shifting easily between denoting physical advantage and serving as a metaphor for influence or power. In some narratives it is used in its literal, mechanical sense—describing the fulcrum of a tool or the principle behind a lever to exert force [1, 2, 3, 4]—while in others the term becomes a symbol for strategic clout, whether that be in political maneuvering, economic capital, or personal influence [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. Moreover, writers have played with its dual meaning by even naming characters Leverage to suggest wit or hidden depth, effectively underlining the inherent power dynamics that characterize interpersonal relationships [10, 11, 12, 13]. This multifaceted use underscores how leverage operates both as a tangible resource and an abstract concept, rewarding both physical ingenuity and astute negotiation.
- A short stick by which increased leverage is obtained in hurling a spear.
— from American Indian Ways of Life: An Interpretation of the Archaeology of Illinois and Adjoining Areas by Thorne Deuel - Because the weight of the longer rod has more leverage over the hand than has that of the shorter rod.
— from How it Works by Archibald Williams - Waiting a moment to get the elbow over the end of the rod so as to have a good leverage, I gave a sudden jerk upwards, and felt the weight instantly.
— from The Amateur Poacher by Richard Jefferies - The leverage of that green stick might easily have started the bowlder to rolling.
— from Rex Kingdon on Storm Island by Gordon Braddock - nd he who furnished them secured a leverage beyond all political influence.
— from An Original Belle by Edward Payson Roe - The United States was adroit enough to obtain the immense psychological leverage of getting the Korean war recognized as a UN war.
— from Psychological Warfare by Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger - Our justification is that men, even poor men, have that powerful leverage of the vote.
— from The Convert by Elizabeth Robins - Parnell saw and said that purely political Nationalism was weak by itself, and he took up the land question to get leverage.
— from Against Home Rule (1912)The Case for the Union - The fear of racial decline provides the eugenist with a far stronger leverage than did the hope of accelerating racial progress.
— from Applied Eugenics by Roswell H. (Roswell Hill) Johnson - "Looks to me," chimed in Leverage, "as if that's where the shift must have taken place; though it beats me—" Carroll lighted a cigarette.
— from Midnight by Octavus Roy Cohen - "How about it, Leverage?" "Sure," growled Leverage.
— from Midnight by Octavus Roy Cohen - Leverage's hand found the knob, and Carroll nodded briefly.
— from Midnight by Octavus Roy Cohen - A quiet man was Carroll, and one whose deductive powers Eric Leverage fairly worshiped.
— from Midnight by Octavus Roy Cohen
