pull (v.) Copy link Outline A. Trans.B. Intrans., to seek to move by applying force • pull (v.): A. Trans.: To pull at, twitch, pluck: vello, velli, vulsum, 3, and vellĭco, 1: vellere coepi et prensare manu lentissima brachia, Hor. Sat. 1, 9, 63: esp. to p. or twitch the ear as a "gentle hint:" vellicata blande auricula suscitavit, Paul. Nol. Ep. 36, 3: puer, quid fieret interrogatus, a paedagogo se vellicari respondet, that his master pulled his ears, Quint. 6, 1, 41: fig., cum canerem reges et proelia, Cynthius aurem vellit, et admonuit, etc., Virg. E. 6, 4: vellit saepius aurem invida paupertas, Calp. E. 4, 155. In this sense TO PULL is usu. followed by a prep.: v. to pull away, down, etc. B. Intrans., to seek to move by applying force: expr. by nītor, enitor: vires adhibeo s. admoveo, etc.: pull with all your might, men, *totas, viri, adhibete vires: with all their p.ing they could not stir the chariot, *quamvis intentis niterentur viribus currum loco movere non poterant: the waters foam as they p. (in rowing) spumant adductis freta versa lacertis, Virg. Aen. 5, 141: now, now, p. at your oars! nunc, nunc, insurgite remis! ib. 189.