level

—levelly, adv. —levelness, n.

/lev"euhl/, adj., n., v., leveled, leveling or (esp. Brit.) levelled, levelling, adv.

adj.

1. having no part higher than another; having a flat or even surface.

2. being in a plane parallel to the plane of the horizon; horizontal.

3. equal, as one thing with another or two or more things with one another.

4. even, equable, or uniform.

5. filled to a height even with the rim of a container: a level teaspoon of salt.

6. mentally well-balanced; sensible; rational: to keep a level head in a crisis.

7. one's level best, one's very best; one's utmost: We tried our level best to get here on time.

n.

8. a device used for determining or adjusting something to a horizontal surface.

9. Survey.

a. Also called surveyor's level. an instrument for observing levels, having a sighting device, usually telescopic, and capable of being made precisely horizontal.

b. an observation made with this instrument.

c. See spirit level.

10. an imaginary line or surface everywhere at right angles to the plumb line.

11. the horizontal line or plane in which anything is situated, with regard to its elevation.

12. a horizontal position or condition.

13. an extent of land approximately horizontal and unbroken by irregularities.

14. a level or flat surface.

15. a position with respect to a given or specified height: The water rose to a level of 30 feet.

16. a position or plane in a graded scale of values; status; rank: His acting was on the level of an amateur. They associated only with those on their own economic level.

17. an extent, measure, or degree of intensity, achievement, etc.: a high level of sound; an average level of writing skill.

18. Ling. a major subdivision of linguistic structure, as phonology, morphology, or syntax, often viewed as hierarchically ordered. Cf. component (def. 6a), stratum (def. 8).

19. Mining. the interconnected horizontal mine workings at a particular elevation or depth: There had been a cave-in on the 1500-foot level.

20. find one's or one's own level, to attain the place or position merited by one's abilities or achievements: He finally found his level as one of the directors of the firm.

21. on the level, Informal. honest; sincere; reliable: Is this information on the level?

v.t.

22. to make (a surface) level, even, or flat: to level ground before building.

23. to raise or lower to a particular level or position; to make horizontal.

24. to bring (something) to the level of the ground: They leveled the trees to make way for the new highway.

25. Informal. to knock down (a person): He leveled his opponent with one blow.

26. to make equal, as in status or condition.

27. to make even or uniform, as coloring.

28. Historical Ling. (of the alternative forms of a paradigm) to reduce in number or regularize: Old English "him" (dative) and "hine" (accusative) have been leveled to Modern English "him."

29. to aim or point (a weapon, criticism, etc.) at a mark or objective: He leveled his criticism at the college as a whole.

30. Survey. to find the relative elevation of different points in (land), as with a level.

v.i.

31. to bring things or persons to a common level.

32. to aim a weapon, criticism, etc., at a mark or objective.

33. Survey.

a. to take a level.

b. to use a leveling instrument.

34. to speak truthfully and openly (often fol. by with): You're not leveling with me about your trip to Chicago.

35. Obs. to direct the mind, purpose, etc., at something.

36. level off,

a. Aeron. to maintain a constant altitude after a climb or descent.

b. to become stable; reach a constant or limit.

c. to make even or smooth.

adv.

37. Obs. in a level, direct, or even way or line.

[1300-50; ME (n. and v.), var. of livel (n.) < MF < VL *libellum, for L libella plummet line, level, dim. of libra balance, scales; for formation, see CASTELLUM]

Syn. 1, 2. flush. LEVEL, EVEN, FLAT, SMOOTH suggest a uniform surface without marked unevenness. That which is LEVEL is parallel to the horizon: a level surface; A billiard table must be level. FLAT is applied to any plane surface free from marked irregularities: a flat roof. With reference to land or country, FLAT connotes lowness or unattractiveness; LEVEL does not suggest anything derogatory. That which is EVEN is free from irregularities, though not necessarily level or plane: an even land surface with no hills. SMOOTH suggests a high degree of evenness in any surface, esp. to the touch and sometimes to the sight: as smooth as silk. 22. smooth, flatten. 24. raze, demolish, destroy. 26. equalize. 29. direct.

Ant. 1. uneven. 2. vertical.

* * *

Device for establishing a horizontal plane.

It consists of a small, sealed glass tube containing liquid and an air bubble; the tube is fixed horizontally in a block or frame with a smooth lower surface. When the bubble is in the middle of the glass tube, the device is on a level surface; adjustment to the horizontal is indicated by movement of the bubble. The glass tube is slightly bowed, and the level's sensitivity is proportional to the radius of curvature.

* * *

▪ tool

      device for establishing a horizontal plane. It consists of a small glass tube containing alcohol or similar liquid and an air bubble; the tube is sealed and fixed horizontally in a wooden or metallic block or frame with a smooth lower surface. The glass tube is slightly bowed, and adjustment to the horizontal is indicated by movement of the bubble. The device is on a level surface when the bubble is in the middle of the glass tube. The level's sensitivity is proportional to the radius of the curvature of the glass.

* * *