Spirit level. See Level. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Surv.) A level having a short telescope (hence its name) rigidly fixed to a table capable only of rotatory movement in a horizontal plane. The telescope is usually an inverting one. It is sometimes called the
Troughton level, from the name of the inventor, and a variety improved by one Gavatt is known as the
Gavatt level. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

After draining of the level in Northamptonshire. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shot from the deadly level of a gun. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Providence, for the most part, sets us on a level. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Somebody there of his own level. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be the fair level of thy actions laid
As temperance wills and prudence may persuade. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

When merit shall find its level. F. W. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ample spaces o'er the smooth
And level pavement. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; as, the telescope is now level. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Young boys and girls
Are level now with men; the odds is gone. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Everything lies level to our wish. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Straightforward; direct; clear; open. [ 1913 Webster ]

A very plain and level account. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level head; a level understanding. [ Colloq. ] “ A level consideration.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection. H. Sweet. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Leveled r 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower. [ 1913 Webster ]

And their proud structures level with the ground. Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

He levels mountains and he raises plains. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to point in taking aim; to aim; to direct. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall, leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow. Stow. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level remarks to the capacity of children. [ 1913 Webster ]

For all his mind on honor fixed is,
To which he levels all his purposes. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The glory of God and the good of his church . . . ought to be the mark whereat we also level. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

She leveled at our purposes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Written also leveller. ] 1. One who, or that which, levels. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who would remove social inequalities or distinctions; a socialist. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. exercising or showing good judgment or common sense; sensible.
Syn. -- healthy, intelligent, sound. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

-- lev"el*head"ed*ly, adv. -- lev"el*head"ed*ness, n. [ PJC ]

n. [ Written also levelling. ] 1. The act or operation of making level. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Surveying) The art or operation of using a leveling instrument for finding a horizontal line, for ascertaining the differences of level between different points of the earth's surface included in a survey, for establishing grades, etc., as in finding the descent of a river, or locating a line of railroad. [ 1913 Webster ]

Leveling instrument. See Surveyor's level, under Level, n. --
Leveling staff, a graduated rod or staff used in connection with a leveling instrument for measuring differences of level between points. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The disposition or endeavor to level all distinctions of rank in society. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an even or level manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being level. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. weak; not intense; as, low-level radiation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. lower in rank or importance. [ Narrower terms: adjunct, assistant; associate(prenominal) ; buck ; deputy(prenominal), proxy(prenominal) ; subject, dependent ; subservient ] [ Narrower terms: under(prenominal) ; ruled ; secondary ] Also See inferior, subordinate. Antonym: dominant.
Syn. -- subordinate. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. at a low level in rank or importance; as, a low-level job; low-level discussions. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

4. occurring at a relatively low altitude; as, a low-level strafing run; low-level bombing. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. intermediate in rank or position; as, middle-level management. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

The level of the surface of the sea; any surface on the same level with the sea. [ 1913 Webster ]

See high.
See honorable.
See hopeful.
See hostile.
See hurt.
See hhurtful.
See hygienic.
See ideal.
See idle.
See illusory.
See imaginable.
See imaginative.
See immortal.
See implicit.
See important.
See impressible. See >Unimpressible.
See impressionable.
See improvable.
See impugnable.
See incidental.
See increasable.
See indifferent.
See indulgent.
See industrious.
See inflammable.
See influential.
See ingenious.
See ingenuous.
See inhabitable.
See injurious.
See inquisitive.
See instructive.
See intelligent.
See intelligible.
See intentional.
See interesting.
See interpretable.
See inventive.
See investigable.
See jealous.
See joyful.
See joyous.
See justifiable.
See kingly.
See knightly.
See knotty.
See knowable.
See laborious.
See ladylike.
See level.
See libidinous.
See lightsome.
See limber.
See lineal.
See logical.
See lordly.
See losable.
See lovable.
See lucent.
See luminous.
See lustrous.
See lusty.
See maidenly.
See makable.
See malleable.
See manageable.
See manful.
See manlike.
See manly.
See marketable.
See marriable.
See marriageable.
See marvelous.
See masculine.
See matchable.
See matronlike.
See meek.
See meet.
See melodious.
See mendable.
See mentionable.
See mercenary.
See merciable.
See meritable.
See merry.
See metaphorical.
See mighty.
See mild.
See military.
See mindful.
See mingleable.
See miraculous.
See miry.
See mitigable.
See modifiable.
See modish.
See moist.
See monkish.
See motherly.
See muscular.
See musical.
See mysterious.
See namable.
See native.
See navigable.
See needful.
See negotiable.
See niggard.
See noble.
See objectionable.
[ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

1. The level formed by the surface of still water. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A kind of leveling instrument. See under Level, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Surv.) See under Y, n. [ 1913 Webster ]