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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

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 ]