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fulcrum
(redirected from fulcrums)

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
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.

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

fulcrum [ˈfʊlkrəm ˈfʌl-]
n pl -crums, -cra [-krə]
1. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) the pivot about which a lever turns
2. something that supports or sustains; prop
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) a spinelike scale occurring in rows along the anterior edge of the fins in primitive bony fishes such as the sturgeon
[from Latin: foot of a couch, bedpost, from fulcire to prop up]

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.
click for a larger image
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.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.fulcrumfulcrum - 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

fulcrum
noun pivot, centre, heart, hinge, hub, focal point, kingpin The decision is the fulcrum of the Budget. axis, swivel, pivot, axle, spindle The metal bar served as a fulcrum.
Translations
fulcrum [ˈfʌlkrəm] N (fulcrums or fulcra (pl)) [ˈfʌlkrə]fulcro m (fig) → piedra f angular, punto m de apoyo
fulcrum
nDreh- or Stützpunkt m; (fig, of argument, plan, organization) → Angelpunkt m
fulcrum [ˈfʊlkrəm] nfulcro
fulcrum [ˈfʊlkrəm] nfulcro


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