fulcrum

ful·crum  (flkrm, fl-)

n. pl. ful·crums or ful·cra (-kr)

1. The point or support on which a lever pivots.

2. Zoology An anatomical structure that acts as a hinge or a point of support.

3. An agent through which vital powers are exercised.

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[Latin, bedpost, from fulcre, to support.]

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fulcrum

Noun

pl -crums or -cra the pivot about which a lever turns [Latin: foot of a couch]

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fulcrum  (flkrm) The point or support on which a lever turns. The position of the fulcrum, relative to the positions of the load and effort, determines the type of lever.

fulcrum top: first-class lever, with fulcrum between load and effort, as in a crowbar; center: second-class lever, with load between fulcrum and effort, as in a wheelbarrow; bottom: third-class lever, with effort between fulcrum and load, as in a person's forearm, where the fulcrum is the elbow and the load is something held in the hand.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

fulcrum - the pivot about which a lever turns lever - a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum pivot, pin - axis consisting of a short shaft that supports something that turns