puller

pull ► VERB 1) exert force on (something) so as to move it towards oneself or the origin of the force. 2) remove by pulling. 3) informal bring out (a weapon) for use. 4) move steadily: the bus pulled away. 5) move oneself with effort or against resistance: she pulled away from him. 6) attract as a customer. 7) strain (a muscle, ligament, etc.). 8) (pull at/on) inhale deeply while drawing on (a cigarette). 9) informal cancel or withdraw (an entertainment or advertisement). 10) check the speed of (a horse) to make it lose a race. 11) informal succeed in attracting sexually.

► NOUN 1) an act of pulling. 2) a deep draught of a drink or an inhalation on a cigarette, pipe, etc. 3) a force, influence, or compulsion.

● on the pull — Cf. ↑on the pull

● pull back — Cf. ↑pull back

● pull down — Cf. ↑pull down

● pull in — Cf. ↑pull in

● pull someone's leg — Cf. ↑pull someone's leg

● pull off — Cf. ↑pull off

● pull out — Cf. ↑pull out

● pull the plug on — Cf. ↑pull the plug on

● pull (one's) punches — Cf. ↑pull punches

● pull round — Cf. ↑pull round

● pull strings — Cf. ↑pull strings

● pull the strings — Cf. ↑pull the strings

● pull through — Cf. ↑pull through

● pull together — Cf. ↑pull together

● pull oneself together — Cf. ↑pull oneself together

● pull up — Cf. ↑pull up

● pull one's weight — Cf. ↑pull one's weight

DERIVATIVES puller noun.

ORIGIN Old English, «pluck, snatch».