To raise the intensity, excitement, tension, etc., of.
To produce nervous tension in.
To raise the pitch of.
To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly.
To provide an impetus for motion or physical action, to cause to move in a certain direction; to drive forward.
To provide an impetus for non-physical change, to make to arrive to a certain situation or result.