raise / rāz/ • v. [tr.] 1. lift or move to a higher position or level: she raised both arms above her head his flag was raised over the city. ∎  lift or move to a vertical position; set upright: Melody managed to raise him to his feet. ∎  construct or build (a structure): a fence was being raised around the property. ∎  cause to rise or form: the galloping horse raised a cloud of dust. ∎  bring to the surface (something that has sunk). ∎  cause (bread) to rise, esp. by the action of yeast: [as adj.] (raised) raised doughnuts. ∎  make a (nap) on cloth.2. increase the amount, level, or strength of: the bank raised interest rates the aim was to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless. ∎  promote (someone) to a higher rank: the king raised him to the title of Count Torre Bella. ∎  [usu. as n.] (raising) Linguistics (in transformational grammar) move (an element) from a lower structure to a higher one. ∎  (raise something to) Math. multiply a quantity by itself to (a specified power): 3 raised to the 7th power is 2,187. ∎  (in poker or brag) bet (a specified amount) more than (another player): I'll raise you another hundred dollars. ∎  [tr.] Bridge make a higher bid in the same suit as that bid by (one's partner). ∎  [tr.] increase (a bid) in this way.3. cause to be heard, considered, or discussed: the alarm was raised when he failed to return home doubts have been raised about the future of the reprocessing plant. ∎  cause to occur, appear, or be felt: recent sightings have raised hopes that otters are making a return. ∎  generate (an invoice or other document).4. collect, levy, or bring together (money or resources): she was attempting to raise $20,000.5. bring up (a child): he was born and raised in San Francisco. ∎  breed or grow (animals or plants): they raised pigs and kept a pony.6. bring (someone) back from death: God raised Jesus from the dead.7. abandon or force an enemy to abandon (a siege, blockade, or embargo).8. drive (an animal) from its lair: the jack rabbit was only 250 yards from where he first raised it. ∎  cause (a ghost or spirit) to appear: fig. the piece raises the ghosts of a number of twentieth-century art ideas. ∎  (of someone at sea) come in sight of (land or another ship): they raised the low coast by evening.9. Immunology stimulate production of (an antiserum, antibody, or other biologically active substance) against the appropriate target cell or substance.• n. 1. an increase in salary: he wants a raise and some perks.2. (in poker or brag) an increase in a stake. ∎  Bridge a higher bid in the suit that one's partner has bid.3. Weightlifting an act of lifting or raising a part of the body while holding a weight: bent-over raises.PHRASES: raise Cain see Cain.raise the devil inf. make a noisy disturbance.raise one's eyebrows see eyebrow.raise one's glass drink a toast: I raised my glass to Susan.raise one's hand strike or seem to be about to strike someone: she raised her hand to me.raise one's hat briefly remove one's hat as a gesture of courtesy or respect to someone.raise hell inf. make a noisy disturbance. ∎  complain vociferously: he raised hell with real estate developers and polluters.raise hob see hob² .raise a laugh make people laugh.raise the roof make or cause someone else to make a great deal of noise, esp. through cheering: when I finally scored, the fans raised the roof.raise one's voice speak more loudly. ∎  begin to speak or sing.DERIVATIVES: rais·a·ble adj.rais·er n.

raise it is easier to raise the Devil than to lay him proverbial saying, mid 17th century, sometimes used to mean that it is easier to start a process than to stop it.
raise the wind procure money for a purpose; the wind is considered here as motive power. In medieval times spirits or witches were commonly thought to be capable of causing winds to blow to help or hinder shipping; the figurative use of this phrase is much later (late 18th century).

See also raise Cain.

raise set up or upright; build up, construct; remove to a higher position XII; levy; end (a siege) XIV; to make higher or greater XV. — ON. reisa + OE. rǣran REAR1.

Raise

things collected; a heap of stones. See also cairn.

Example : such rising as are caused by the burial of the dead . . . are called raises, 1695.