Erect | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

E-rĕct’, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. erectus, p. p. of erigere, erectum.]

Upright, or in a perpendicular posture; not inclined or bent; as, to stand erect.
Directed upward; raised; uplifted.

His piercing eyes erect appear to view Superior worlds, and look all nature through. Pope. 3. Not bowed over, thrown down, or lax and yielding; firmly established; bold; unshaken; intellectually active and attentive. “Vigilant and erect attention of mind.” Hooker. Let no vain fear thy generous ardor tame, But stand erect. Granville. Among the Greek colonies and churches of Asia, Philadelphia is still erect—a column in a scene of ruins. Gibbon. 4. (Bot.) Having an upward or perpendicular position, as regards the base or stem; as, an erect stem, leaf, or aperture. Martyn.

E-rĕct′, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. ERECTED; p. pr. & vb. n. ERECTING.] [Lat. erigere, erectum, from e, out, and regere, rectum, to lead straight; It. erigere, Pr., Sp., & Pg. erigir, Fr. ériger.]

Sense 1. To raise and place in an upright or perpendicular position; to set upright; to lift up; to raise; as, to erect a pole or flag-staff.

Sense 2. To raise, as a building; to set up; to build; as, to erect a house or a fort.

Sense 3. To give loftiness, exaltation, or high tone to; to set on high; to exalt.

That didst his state above his hopes erect. Daniel.

Sense 4. To give animation or encouragement to; to cheer.

It raiseth the drooping spirit, erecting it to a loving complaisance. Barrow.

Sense 5. To set up as an assertion or consequence from premises or the like. “Malebranche erects this proposition.” Locke.

Sense 6. To set up or establish anew; to found; to form; to make; to institute. “To erect a new commonwealth.” Hooker.

Synonyms—To set up; raise; elevate; construct; build; institute; establish; found.

E-rĕct', v. i.

verbintransitive

To take an upright position; to rise.

By wet, stalks do erect. Bacon.