levitare

Levitare is a verb of Latin origin that generally means to lift, raise, or lighten. In Latin texts and in many Romance languages, it denotes the act of lifting an object or elevating a burden, and it can also be used in a figurative sense to raise spirits or ease a burden. The term is a parent to related concepts in later languages and to the English noun and verb levitation and levitate.

Etymology and related forms derive from the Latin adjective levis, meaning light, and the verb form levitare. The noun levitas expresses lightness or brightness, while the verbal noun levitatio denotes the act of lifting or floating. From these roots, English renders the related terms levitation (the act of levitating) and levitate (to cause to levitate or to float above a surface).

In Romance languages, cognate verbs such as Italian levitare and Portuguese levitar retain the core meaning of lifting or raising. In addition to physical lifting, these verbs can carry metaphorical senses, such as to elevate status, mood, or significance. In modern English, the direct Latin-derived form levitare is uncommon outside scholarly or linguistic contexts; the everyday term for floating in air is levitation, and the verb levitate is used for both physical lifting and, metaphorically, rising above circumstances.

See also: levitation, levitate.