Hefting

Hefting refers to the act of lifting or raising something heavy, often to assess its weight or feel its solidity. This can involve a quick lift to test the weight, or a sustained effort to carry or manipulate the object. The process often requires physical strength and coordination, and the subjective experience involves the sensation of the object's mass and balance. It can also be used in a figurative sense, to suggest grappling with or confronting a difficult task or emotion.

Hefting meaning with examples

• The antique dealer spent a considerable amount of time hefting the heavy oak table, carefully gauging its quality before deciding whether to purchase it. He knew the weight was a sign of quality. Its solidity convinced him, and he paid top dollar to bring it home.
• After a morning of rock climbing, the climber was exhausted from hefting herself up the rock face and was aching from the strain. The weight of her body on the ropes, and her gear, tested her limits of endurance. She looked at the next climb and chose an easier route.
• The baggage handlers at the airport are constantly hefting suitcases, which are often full, ensuring that they are loaded onto the plane correctly. Their job is to ensure the safety of everyone on the aircraft. They used dollies to load the heavy bags.
• When the construction worker began hefting the heavy steel beams, the foreman knew that he had a strong, able-bodied worker on the job site. The effort seemed easy for him. He quickly used the crane to hoist the beams into position for welding.