The phrase "raise high" consists of two short words that are both spelled phonetically. The word "raise" is pronounced as /reɪz/, where the beginning sound is a voiced retroflex fricative /r/. The word "high" is pronounced as /haɪ/, where the beginning sound is a voiceless glottal fricative /h/. Together, the phrase "raise high" is pronounced as /reɪz haɪ/, with stress on the second syllable of "raise". It means to lift something or someone to a great height.
"Raise high" is a verb phrase that consists of two words, "raise" and "high," and is understood to have various contextual meanings, depending on the context in which it is used.
Primarily, "raise high" refers to the action of elevating something or someone to a great height or level. It implies lifting an object, person, or even an idea to a position that is notably above its original or surrounding level. This action often involves physical effort and is commonly used to indicate the act of hoisting, uplifting, or elevating an item or a person higher than its normal or previous position.
Furthermore, "raise high" can be used metaphorically to express the concept of emphasizing, promoting, or amplifying the significance or importance of something or someone. In this context, it relates more to the metaphorical sense of height, rather than a physical elevation. It suggests giving prominence, attention, or recognition to an individual, an idea, a cause, or an event, raising it to a level of importance or distinction.
Overall, "raise high" denotes the act of physically or metaphorically elevating something or someone to greater heights or prominence, whether it be through a literal lift or through accentuating their value, significance, or stature.
The etymology of the phrase "raise high" can be understood by examining the origins of each individual word.
1. Raise: The word "raise" comes from the Old Norse word "reisa", which means "to cause to rise" or "to put upright". It entered the English language during the Middle English period and has retained a similar meaning throughout its history.
2. High: The word "high" has Old English roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hauhaz". It originally meant "tall" or "above normal height". Over time, its meaning expanded to signify a position or degree that is elevated, both physically and metaphorically.
When combined, "raise high" creates a compound verb phrase that indicates the action of lifting something or someone vertically to an elevated position.