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Level   /lˈɛvəl/   Listen
noun
Level  n.  
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." "Shot from the deadly level of a gun."
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." "Somebody there of his own level." "Be the fair level of thy actions laid As temperance wills and prudence may persuade."
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."
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.


adjective
Level  adj.  
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."
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." "Everything lies level to our wish."
4.
Straightforward; direct; clear; open. "A very plain and level account."
5.
Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level head; a level understanding. (Colloq.) " A level consideration."
6.
(Phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection.
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.


verb
Level  v. t.  (past & past part. leveled or levelled; pres. part. 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." "He levels mountains and he raises plains."
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."
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."


Level  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."
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; as, he leveled a gun at the bandit and fired. "The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife." "The glory of God and the good of his church... ought to be the mark whereat we also level." "She leveled at our purposes."





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Level" Quotes from Famous Books



... but he had done so by relaxing her laws to suit the temper of the world. Instead of toiling to elevate human nature to the noble standard fixed by divine precept and example, he had lowered the standard till it was beneath the average level of human nature. He gloried in multitudes of converts who had been baptized in the remote regions of the East: but it was reported that from some of those converts the facts on which the whole theology of the Gospel depends had been cunningly concealed, and ...
— The History of England from the Accession of James II. - Volume 2 (of 5) • Thomas Babington Macaulay
... regulated movements of his mind, his piety, his virtue, his justice, his vivacity, the solidity and soundness of his judgment, the loftiness of his ideas, raised so far above the common level, his learning, the grace which accompanied his most ordinary actions, the tender affection he had for his miserable country, and his supreme and sworn detestation of all vice, but principally of that villainous ...
— The Essays of Montaigne, Complete • Michel de Montaigne
... Constantinople. Besides accommodating one hundred thousand spectators, it was the most complete building for the purposes of its erection ever known. The world—including old Rome—had been robbed of statuary for the adornment of this extravaganza. Its enormous level posed in great part upon a substructure of arches on arches, which still exist. The opinion is quite general that it was destroyed by the Turks, and that much of its material went to construct the Mosque Sulymanie. The latter averment is doubtless correct; but it is only justice to say that the ...
— The Prince of India - Or - Why Constantinople Fell - Volume 2 • Lew. Wallace
... fault whose wit's so very small, They've had to show that they can think at all. Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would search for pearls must dive below. Fops may have leave to level all they can, As pigmies would be glad to lop a man. Half wits are fleas, so little and so light, We scarce could know they live, ...
— A Book of the Play - Studies and Illustrations of Histrionic Story, Life, and Character • Dutton Cook
... man—the link which connects the visible to the superior worlds. He acts, he sees, he feels through his inner being. The abstractive thinks. The instinctive simply acts. Hence three degrees for man. As an instinctive he is below the level; as an abstractive he attains it; as a specialist he rises above it. Specialism opens to man his true career; the Infinite dawns upon him—he catches ...
— Cosmic Consciousness • Ali Nomad


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