lev•el
Pronunciation: (lev'ul), [key]
— adj., n., v., adv. -eled, -el•ing -elled, -el•ling,
—adj.
- having no part higher than another; having a flat or even surface.
- being in a plane parallel to the plane of the horizon; horizontal.
- equal, as one thing with another or two or more things with one another.
- even, equable, or uniform.
- filled to a height even with the rim of a container: a level teaspoon of salt.
- mentally well-balanced; sensible; rational: to keep a level head in a crisis.
- one's very best; one's utmost: We tried our level best to get here on time.
—n.
- a device used for determining or adjusting something to a horizontal surface.
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- Also calledsurveyor's level.an instrument for observing levels, having a sighting device, usually telescopic, and capable of being made precisely horizontal.
- an observation made with this instrument.
- Seespirit level.
- an imaginary line or surface everywhere at right angles to the plumb line.
- the horizontal line or plane in which anything is situated, with regard to its elevation.
- a horizontal position or condition.
- an extent of land approximately horizontal and unbroken by irregularities.
- a level or flat surface.
- a position with respect to a given or specified height: The water rose to a level of 30 feet.
- a position or plane in a graded scale of values; status; rank: His acting was on the level of an amateur. They associated only with those on their own economic level.
- an extent, measure, or degree of intensity, achievement, etc.: a high level of sound; an average level of writing skill.
- a major subdivision of linguistic structure, as phonology, morphology, or syntax, often viewed as hierarchically ordered. Cf. component (def. 6a),(def. 8).
- the interconnected horizontal mine workings at a particular elevation or depth: There had been a cave-in on the 1500-foot level.
- to attain the place or position merited by one's abilities or achievements: He finally found his level as one of the directors of the firm.
- honest; sincere; reliable: Is this information on the level?
—v.t.
- to make (a surface) level, even, or flat: to level ground before building.
- to raise or lower to a particular level or position; to make horizontal.
- to bring (something) to the level of the ground: They leveled the trees to make way for the new highway.
- to knock down (a person): He leveled his opponent with one blow.
- to make equal, as in status or condition.
- to make even or uniform, as coloring.
- (of the alternative forms of a paradigm) to reduce in number or regularize:(dative) and “hine” (accusative) have been leveled to Modern English “him.” Old English “him”
- to aim or point (a weapon, criticism, etc.) at a mark or objective: He leveled his criticism at the college as a whole.
- to find the relative elevation of different points in (land), as with a level.
—v.i.
- to bring things or persons to a common level.
- to aim a weapon, criticism, etc., at a mark or objective.
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- to take a level.
- to use a leveling instrument.
- to speak truthfully and openly (often fol. by with): You're not leveling with me about your trip to Chicago.
- to direct the mind, purpose, etc., at something.
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- Aeron.to maintain a constant altitude after a climb or descent.
- to become stable; reach a constant or limit.
- to make even or smooth.
—adv.
- in a level, direct, or even way or line.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.