means To raise something to a higher position, or the upward force that does so — also British English for an elevator.

from From Old Norse 'lypta,' to raise into the air, a cousin of 'loft' — both reaching back toward an old Germanic root meaning 'sky' or 'air,' so to lift was literally to send something skyward. English borrowed it during the Viking-influenced centuries, and it stuck to everything from heavy crates to heavy hearts. The elevator sense, and the 'give me a lift' favor, are later figurative passengers riding the same upward verb.