Definition of: pull

(pl) v.t.
1. To apply force to so as to cause motion toward or after the person or thing exerting force; drag; tug.
2. To draw or remove from a natural or fixed place: to pull a tooth or plug.
3. To give a pull or tug to.
4. To pluck, as a fowl.
5. To draw asunder; tear; rend: with to pieces, apart, etc.
6. To strain so as to cause injury: to pull a ligament.
7. In sports, to strike (the ball) so as to cause it to curve obliquely from the direction in which the striker faces.
8. Slang To put into effect; carry out: often with off: to pull off a prank.
9. Slang To make a raid on; arrest.
10. Slang To draw out so as to use: to pull a knife.
11. Printing To make or obtain by impression from type: to pull a proof.
12. In boxing, to deliver (a punch, etc.) with less than one's full strength.
13. In horse–racing, to rein in or otherwise restrain (a horse) so as to prevent its winning.
14. In rowing: a To operate (an oar) by drawing toward one. b To propel or transport by rowing. c To be propelled by: The gig pulls four oars.
—v.i.
15. To use force in hauling, dragging, moving, etc.
16. To move: with out, in, away, ahead, etc.
17. To drink deeply: to pull at a bottle.
18. To inhale deeply: to pull at a cigar.
19. To row. See synonyms under DRAW.
—to pull for
1. To strive in behalf of.
2. Colloq. To declare one's allegiance to.
—to pull oneself together To regain one's composure.
—to pull out Aeron. To return to level flight after a dive, as an airplane.
—to pull through
1. Succeed.
2. To survive.
—to pull up To come to a halt.
—to pull up with To advance to a position even with.
—noun
1. The act of pulling; the exertion of force to draw something toward one.
2. Something that is pulled; specifically, the handle of a doorbell, drawer, cabinet, or the like.
3. An impression made by pulling the lever of a hand press.
4. A long swallow, or a deep puff, as on a pipe or cigar.
5. Exercise in rowing: a pull on the river.
6. The exertion expended in climbing a mountain; hence, any steady, continuous effort.
7. Slang A means of influencing those in power: political pull; influence to one's advantage.
8. Attraction: These ads have pull.
9. The action of restraining a horse by pulling on the reins; specifically, in horse–racing, the dishonest checking of a horse so that he may be defeated.
10. In sports, the act of pulling the ball. [OE pullian pluck]
—pull′er noun