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level |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Level \Lev"el\ (l[e^]v"[e^]l), n. [OE. level, livel, OF livel, F. niveau fr L. libella level, water level, a plumb level, dim. of libra pound, measure for liquids, balance, water poise, level. Cf {Librate}, {Libella}.] 1. A line or surface to which at every point, a vertical or plumb line is perpendicular; a line or surface which is everywhere parallel to the surface of still water; -- this is the true level, and is a curve or surface in which all points are equally distant from the center of the earth, or rather would be so if the earth were an exact sphere. 2. A horizontal line or plane; that is a straight line or a plane which is tangent to a true level at a given point and hence parallel to the horizon at that point; -- this is the apparent level at the given point. 3. An approximately horizontal line or surface at a certain degree of altitude, or distance from the center of the earth; as to climb from the level of the coast to the level of the plateau and then descend to the level of the valley or of the sea. After draining of the level in Northamptonshire --Sir M. Hale. Shot from the deadly level of a gun. --Shak. 4. Hence figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation. Providence, for the most part sets us on a level. --Addison. Somebody there of his own level. --Swift. Be the fair level of thy actions laid As temperance wills and prudence may persuade. --Prior. 5. A uniform or average height; a normal plane or altitude; a condition conformable to natural law or which will secure a level surface; as moving fluids seek a level. When merit shall find its level. --F. W. Robertson 6. (Mech. & Surv.) a An instrument by which to find a horizontal line or adjust something with reference to a horizontal line b A measurement of the difference of altitude of two points, by means of a level; as to take a level. 7. A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine. {Air level}, {a spirit level}. See {Spirit level} (below). {Box level}, a spirit level in which a glass-covered box is used instead of a tube. {Carpenter's level}, {Mason's level}, either the plumb level or a straight bar of wood, in which is imbedded a small spirit level. {Level of the sea}, the imaginary level from which heights and depths are calculated, taken at a mean distance between high and low water. {Line of levels}, a connected series of measurements, by means of a level, along a given line as of a railroad, to ascertain the profile of the ground. {Plumb level}, one in which a horizontal bar is placed in true position by means of a plumb line to which it is at right angles. {Spirit level}, one in which the adjustment to the horizon is shown by the position of a bubble in alcohol or ether contained in a nearly horizontal glass tube, or a circular box with a glass cover. {Surveyor's level}, a telescope, with a spirit level attached, and with suitable screws, etc., for accurate adjustment, the whole mounted on a tripod, for use in leveling; -- called also {leveling instrument}. {Water level}, an instrument to show the level by means of the surface of water in a trough, or in upright tubes connected by a pipe. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Level \Lev"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Leveled} (-[e^]ld) or {Levelled}; p. pr & vb n. {Leveling} or {Levelling}.] 1. To make level; to make horizontal; to bring to the condition of a level line or surface; hence to make flat or even as to level a road, a walk, or a garden. 2. To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down to reduce to a flat surface; to lower. And their proud structures level with the ground. --Sandys. He levels mountains and he raises plains. --Dryden. 3. To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence to point in taking aim to aim to direct. Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall, leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow. --Stow. 4. Figuratively, to bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.; as to level all the ranks and conditions of men. 5. To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as to level remarks to the capacity of children. For all his mind on honor fixed is To which he levels all his purposes. --Spenser. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Level \Lev"el\ (l[e^]v"[e^]l), a. 1. Even flat; having no part higher than another; having or conforming to the curvature which belongs to the undisturbed liquid parts of the earth's surface; as a level field; level ground; the level surface of a pond or lake. Ample spaces o'er the smooth And level pavement. --Milton. 2. Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; as the telescope is now level. 3. Even with anything else; of the same height; on the same line or plane; on the same footing; of equal importance; -- followed by with sometimes by to Young boys and girls Are level now with men; the odds is gone. --Shak. Everything lies level to our wish. --Shak. 4. Straightforward; direct; clear; open A very plain and level account. --M. Arnold. 5. Well balanced; even just steady; impartial; as a level head; a level understanding. [Colloq.] `` A level consideration.'' --Shak. 6. (Phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection. --H. Sweet. {Level line} (Shipbuilding), the outline of a section which is horizontal crosswise, and parallel with the rabbet of the keel lengthwise. {Level surface} (Physics), an equipotential surface at right angles at every point to the lines of force. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Level \Lev"el\, v. i. 1. To be level; to be on a level with or on an equality with something hence to accord; to agree; to suit. [Obs.] With such accommodation and besort As levels with her breeding. --Shak. 2. To aim a gun, spear, etc., horizontally; hence to aim or point a weapon in direct line with the mark; fig., to direct the eye, mind, or effort, directly to an object. The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife. --Shak. The glory of God and the good of his church . . . ought to be the mark whereat we also level. --Hooker. She leveled at our purposes. --Shak. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: level adj 1: having a horizontal surface in which no part is higher or lower than another; "a flat desk"; "acres of level farmland"; "a plane surface" [syn: {flat}, {plane}] 2: not showing abrupt variations; "spoke in a level voice"; "she gave him a level look"- Louis Auchincloss [syn: {unwavering}] 3: being on a precise horizontal plane; "a billiard table must be level" 4: oriented at right angles to the plumb; "the picture is level" n 1: a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality: "a moderate degree of intelligence"; "a high level of care is required"; "it is all a matter of degree" [syn: {degree}, {grade}] 2: a relative position or degree of value in a graded group: "lumber of the highest grade" [syn: {grade}, {tier}] 3: a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process; "a remarkable degree of frankness"; "at what stage are the social sciences?" [syn: {degree}, {stage}, {point}] 4: height above ground: "the water reached ankle level"; "the pictures were at the same level" 5: establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid [syn: {spirit level}] 6: a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line "park the car on the level" [syn: {horizontal surface}] 7: a room or set of rooms comprising a single level of a multi-level building; "what level is the office on?" [syn: {floor}, {storey}, {story}] v 1: aim at "level criticism or charges at somebody" 2: tear down so as to make flat with the ground; "The building was levelled" [syn: {raze}, {rase}, {dismantle}, {tear down}, {take down}, {pull down}] [ant: {raise}] 3: make level or straight; "level the ground" [syn: {even out}, {even}] 4: direct into a position for use "point a gun"; "He charged his weapon at me" [syn: {charge}, {point}] 5: talk frankly with lay it on the line "I have to level with you" 6: become level or even "The ground levelled off" [syn: {level off}]
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