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pull

1. To draw, or attempt to draw, toward one; to draw forcibly. Ne'er pull your hat upon your brows. (Shak) He put forth his hand . . . And pulled her in. (gen. Viii. 9)

2. To draw apart; to tear; to rend. He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate. (Lam. Iii. 11)

3. To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward one; to pluck; as, to pull fruit; to pull flax; to pull a finch.

4. To move or operate by the motion of drawing towards one; as, to pull a bell; to pull an oar.

5. To hold back, and so prevent from winning; as, the favorite was pulled.

6. To take or make, as a proof or impression; hand presses being worked by pulling a lever.

7. To strike the ball in a particular manner. Never pull a straight fast ball to leg. (R. H. Lyttelton) To pull and haul, to draw hither and thither. Both are equally pulled and hauled to do that which they are unable to do. . To pull down, to demolish; to destroy; to degrade; as, to pull down a house. In political affairs, as well as mechanical, it is easier to pull down than build up. . To raise the wretched, and pull down the proud. . To pull a finch. To pull off, take or draw off.

Origin: AS. Pullian; cf. LG. Pulen, and Gael. Peall, piol, spiol.