1 - A force compounded by means of a lever rotating around a pivot; see torque.
2 - By extension, any influence which is compounded or used to gain an advantage.
3 - The use of borrowed funds with a contractually determined return to increase the ability of a business to invest and earn an expected higher return, but usually at high risk.
1 - To use; to exploit; to manipulate in order to take full advantage (of something).