ERECT', a. [L. 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', v.t. 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', v.i. To rise upright.
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