Level

['lev(ə)l] or ['lɛvl]

Definition

(noun.) indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid.

(noun.) height above ground; 'the water reached ankle level'; 'the pictures were at the same level'.

(noun.) an abstract place usually conceived as having depth; 'a good actor communicates on several levels'; 'a simile has at least two layers of meaning'; 'the mind functions on many strata simultaneously'.

(verb.) become level or even; 'The ground levelled off'.

(verb.) talk frankly with; lay it on the line; 'I have to level with you'.

(verb.) aim at; 'level criticism or charges at somebody'.

(verb.) tear down so as to make flat with the ground; 'The building was levelled'.

(adj.) oriented at right angles to the plumb; 'the picture is level' .

(adj.) being on a precise horizontal plane; 'a billiard table must be level' .

(adj.) not showing abrupt variations; 'spoke in a level voice'; 'she gave him a level look'- Louis Auchincloss .

Editor: Yvonne--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) 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.

(n.) 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.

(n.) 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.

(n.) Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation.

(n.) 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.

(n.) An instrument by which to find a horizontal line, or adjust something with reference to a horizontal line.

(n.) A measurement of the difference of altitude of two points, by means of a level; as, to take a level.

(n.) A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine.

(a.) 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.

(a.) Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; as, the telescope is now level.

(a.) 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.

(a.) Straightforward; direct; clear; open.

(a.) Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level head; a level understanding. [Colloq.]

(a.) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection.

(v. t.) 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.

(v. t.) To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower.

(v. t.) To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to point in taking aim; to aim; to direct.

(v. t.) 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.

(v. t.) To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level remarks to the capacity of children.

(v. i.) To be level; to be on a level with, or on an equality with, something; hence, to accord; to agree; to suit.

(v. i.) 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.

Editor: Rosalie

Synonyms and Synonymous

a. [1]. Horizontal.[2]. Even, flat, plain.[3]. Flush, on a level, of the same height.[4]. Of the same rank, condition, &c., on a par.

v. a. [1]. Make horizontal.[2]. Bring to the same level.[3]. Raze, demolish, destroy.[4]. Aim, direct, point, take aim.[5]. Adapt, suit, fit, proportion.

n. [1]. Horizontal surface, horizontal line.[2]. State of equality, equal elevation.

Editor: Stu

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN:Plane, smooth, roll, flatten, equalize, raze

ANT:Roughen, furrow, disequalize, graduate

SYN:Plane, surface, floor, equality, aim, platform, ground, coordinateness,horizontally

ANT:Unevenness, acclivity, declivity, inequality, inco-ordinateness, verticality

Checked by Freda

Definition

n. a horizontal line or surface: a surface without inequalities: proper position: usual elevation: state of equality: the line of direction: an instrument for showing the horizontal.—adj. horizontal: even smooth: even with anything else: uniform: well-balanced sound of judgment: in the same line or plane: equal in position or dignity.—v.t. to make horizontal: to make flat or smooth: to make equal: to take aim:—pr.p. lev′elling; pa.t. and pa.p. lev′elled.—ns. Lev′el-cross′ing or Grade′-cross′ing a place at which a common road crosses a railway at the same level; Lev′eller one who levels or makes equal esp. one of an ultra-republican and revolutionary sect or party which grew up in the parliamentary army in 1647 crushed by Cromwell in 1649; Lev′elling the act of making uneven surfaces level: the process of finding the differences in level between different points on the surface of the earth by means of a Levelling instrument consisting of a telescope carrying a parallel and sensitive spirit-level adjustable by means of screws; Lev′elling-rod -staff an instrument used in levelling in conjunction with a levelling instrument or with a spirit-level and a telescope.—adv. Lev′elly evenly.—n. Lev′elness state of being level even or equal.—Level down or up to lower or raise to the same level or status; Do one's level best (coll.) to do one's utmost.

Edited by Leah