■ noun
1》 a horizontal plane or line with respect to the distance above or below a given point.
2》 a height or distance from the ground or another base.
↘a floor within a multi-storey building.
3》 a position or stage on a scale of quantity, extent, rank, or quality.
4》 a flat area of land.
5》 an instrument giving a line parallel to the plane of the horizon for testing whether things are horizontal.
↘ Surveying an instrument for giving a horizontal line of sight.
■ adjective
1》 having a flat, horizontal surface.
↘(of a quantity of a dry substance) not rising above the brim of the measure: a ~ teaspoon of salt.
2》 at the same height as someone or something else.
3》 having the same position or value.
4》 calm and steady: a ~ voice.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ling , ~led ; US ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 make or become ~.
↘demolish (a building or town).
2》 make or become equal or similar.
3》 aim or direct (a weapon, criticism, or accusation).
4》 ( ~ with ) informal be frank with.
5》 Surveying ascertain differences in the height of (land).
Phrases
do one's ~ best make all possible efforts.
~ of attainment Brit. a rating of the ability of a school pupil, on a scale of 1 to 10.
be ~ pegging Brit. be equal in score or achievement during a contest.
a ~ playing field a situation in which everyone has an equal chance of succeeding.
on the ~ informal honest; truthful.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. livel , based on L. libella , dimin. of libra 'scales, balance'.