erect

[ih-rekt] /ɪˈrɛkt/
adjective
1.
upright in position or posture:
to stand or sit erect.
2.
raised or directed upward:
a dog with ears erect.
3.
Botany. vertical throughout; not spreading or declined:
an erect stem; an erect leaf or ovule.
4.
Heraldry.
  1. (of a charge) represented palewise:
    a sword erect.
  2. (of an animal or part of an animal) represented upright:
    a boar's head erect.
5.
Optics. (of an image) having the same position as the object; not inverted.
verb (used with object)
6.
to build; construct; raise:
to erect a house.
7.
to raise and set in an upright or vertical position:
to erect a telegraph pole.
8.
to set up or establish, as an institution; found.
9.
to bring about; cause to come into existence:
to erect barriers to progress.
10.
Geometry. to draw or construct (a line or figure) upon a given line, base, or the like.
11.
to form or create legally (usually followed by into):
to erect a territory into a state.
12.
Optics. to change (an inverted image) to the normal position.
13.
Machinery. to assemble; make ready for use.
verb (used without object)
14.
to become erect; stand up or out.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin ērēctus raised up (past participle of ērigere), equivalent to ē- e-1 + reg- guide, direct (see royal) + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
erectable, adjective
erectly, adverb
erectness, noun
nonerecting, adjective
preerect, verb (used with object)
reerect, verb (used with object)
self-erected, adjective
semierect, adjective
semierectly, adverb
semierectness, noun
suberect, adjective
suberectly, adverb
suberectness, noun
unerect, adjective
unerected, adjective
well-erected, adjective
Synonyms
1. standing, vertical. See upright. 6. upraise.
Antonyms
1. reclining.
Examples from the web for erect
  • erect having an essentially upright vertical habit or position.
  • Virgate wandlike, slender erect growing stem with many leaves or very short branches.
  • The erect to pendent inflorescence arises laterally from the base of the pseudobulb.
  • Many homeowners erect bird feeders near their homes to attract various species.
  • A dorsal fin is held erect by collagen, which normally hardens in late adolescence.
  • The only way to restore order was to erect the gallows and flog many soldiers.
British Dictionary definitions for erect

erect

/ɪˈrɛkt/
adjective
1.
upright in posture or position; not bent or leaning: an erect stance
2.
(of an optical image) having the same orientation as the object; not inverted
3.
(physiol) (of the penis, clitoris, or nipples) firm or rigid after swelling with blood, esp as a result of sexual excitement
4.
(of plant parts) growing vertically or at right angles to the parts from which they arise
verb (mainly transitive)
5.
to put up; construct; build
6.
to raise to an upright position; lift up: to erect a flagpole
7.
to found or form; set up
8.
(also intransitive) (physiol) to become or cause to become firm or rigid by filling with blood
9.
to hold up as an ideal; exalt
10.
(optics) to change (an inverted image) to an upright position
11.
to draw or construct (a line, figure, etc) on a given line or figure, esp at right angles to it
Derived Forms
erectable, adjective
erectly, adverb
erectness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin ērigere to set up, from regere to control, govern
Word Origin and History for erect
adj.

late 14c., "upright, not bending," from Latin erectus "upright, elevated, lofty; eager, alert, aroused," past participle of erigere "raise or set up," from e- "up" + regere "to direct, keep straight, guide" (see regal).

v.

c.1400, a back-formation from erect (adj.) or else from Latin erectus. Related: Erected; erecting.

erect in Medicine

erect e·rect (ĭ-rěkt')
adj.

  1. Being in or having a vertical, upright position.

  2. Being in or having a stiff, rigid physiological condition.