I. ˈle-vəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, plumb line, from Anglo-French livel, from Vulgar Latin * libellum, alteration of Latin libella, from diminutive of libra weight, balance
Date: 14th century
1. : a device for establishing a horizontal line or plane by means of a bubble in a liquid that shows adjustment to the horizontal by movement to the center of a slightly bowed glass tube
2. : a measurement of the difference of altitude of two points by means of a level
3. : horizontal condition ; especially : equilibrium of a fluid marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude
water seeks its own level
4.
a. : an approximately horizontal line or surface taken as an index of altitude
b. : a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land)
5. : a position in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, or value)
funded at the national level
the job appeals to me on many level s
6.
a. : a line or surface that cuts perpendicularly all plumb lines that it meets and hence would everywhere coincide with a surface of still water
b. : the plane of the horizon or a line in it
7. : a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportation
8. : a concentration of a constituent especially of a body fluid (as blood)
9. : the magnitude of a quantity considered in relation to an arbitrary reference value ; broadly : magnitude , intensity
a high level of hostility
•
- on the level
II. verb
( -eled or -elled ; -el·ing or lev·el·ling ˈle-və-liŋ, ˈlev-liŋ)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level
level a field
level off a house lot
2.
a. : to bring to a horizontal aiming position
b. : aim , direct
level ed a charge of fraud
3. : to bring to a common level or plane : equalize
love level s all ranks — W. S. Gilbert
4.
a. : to lay level with or as if with the ground : raze
b. : to knock down
level ed him with one punch
5. : to make (as color) even or uniform
6. : to find the heights of different points in (a piece of land) especially with a surveyor's level
intransitive verb
1. : to attain or come to a level
the plane level ed off at 10,000 feet
2. : to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally
3. : to bring persons or things to a level
4. : to deal frankly and openly
III. adjective
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : having no part higher than another : conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surface
b. : parallel with the plane of the horizon : horizontal
2.
a. : even or unvarying in height
b. : equal in advantage, progression, or standing
c. : proceeding monotonously or uneventfully
d.
(1) : steady , unwavering
gave him a level look
(2) : calm , unexcited
spoke in level tones
3. : reasonable , balanced
arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair — Sir Winston Churchill
4. : distributed evenly
level stress
5. : being a surface perpendicular to all lines of force in a field of force : equipotential
6. : suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or achievement
top- level thinking
7. : of or relating to the spreading out of a cost or charge in even payments over a period of time
• lev·el·ly ˈle-və(l)-lē adverb
• lev·el·ness -vəl-nəs noun
•
- level best
Synonyms:
level , flat , plane , even , smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities. level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon
the vast prairies are nearly level
flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions
the work surface must be flat
plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface
the plane sides of a crystal
even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight
trim the hedge so it is even
smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities
a smooth skating rink