Levelling - Definitions from Dictionary.com

2 results for: Levelling

Browse Nearby Entries

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

lev·el

Audio Help [lev-uh

l] Pronunciation Key adjective, noun, verb, -eled, -el·ing or (especially British

) -elled, -el·ling, adverb

–adjective

1.	having no part higher than another; having a flat or even surface.

2.	being in a plane parallel to the plane of the horizon; horizontal.

3.	equal, as one thing with another or two or more things with one another.

4.	even, equable, or uniform.

5.	filled to a height even with the rim of a container: a level teaspoon of salt.

6.	mentally well-balanced; sensible; rational: to keep a level head in a crisis.

–noun

7.	a device used for determining or adjusting something to a horizontal surface.

Surveying.

a.	Also called surveyor's level. an instrument for observing levels, having a sighting device, usually telescopic, and capable of being made precisely horizontal.

b.	an observation made with this instrument.

c.	spirit level.

9.	an imaginary line or surface everywhere at right angles to the plumb line.

10.	the horizontal line or plane in which anything is situated, with regard to its elevation.

11.	a horizontal position or condition.

12.	an extent of land approximately horizontal and unbroken by irregularities.

13.	a level or flat surface.

14.	a position with respect to a given or specified height: The water rose to a level of 30 feet.

15.	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.

16.	an extent, measure, or degree of intensity, achievement, etc.: a high level of sound; an average level of writing skill.

17.	Linguistics. a major subdivision of linguistic structure, as phonology, morphology, or syntax, often viewed as hierarchically ordered. Compare component (def. 6a), stratum (def. 8).

18.	Mining. the interconnected horizontal mine workings at a particular elevation or depth: There had been a cave-in on the 1500-foot level.

–verb (used with object)

19.	to make (a surface) level, even, or flat: to level ground before building.

20.	to raise or lower to a particular level or position; to make horizontal.

21.	to bring (something) to the level of the ground: They leveled the trees to make way for the new highway.

22.	Informal. to knock down (a person): He leveled his opponent with one blow.

23.	to make equal, as in status or condition.

24.	to make even or uniform, as coloring.

25.	Historical Linguistics. (of the alternative forms of a paradigm) to reduce in number or regularize: Old English “him” (dative) and “hine” (accusative) have been leveled to Modern English “him.”

26.	to aim or point (a weapon, criticism, etc.) at a mark or objective: He leveled his criticism at the college as a whole.

27.	Surveying. to find the relative elevation of different points in (land), as with a level.

–verb (used without object)

28.	to bring things or persons to a common level.

29.	to aim a weapon, criticism, etc., at a mark or objective.

30.

Surveying.

a.	to take a level.

b.	to use a leveling instrument.

31.	to speak truthfully and openly (often fol. by with): You're not leveling with me about your trip to Chicago.

32.	Obsolete. to direct the mind, purpose, etc., at something.

–adverb

33.	Obsolete. in a level, direct, or even way or line.

—Verb phrase

34.

level off,

a.	Aeronautics. to maintain a constant altitude after a climb or descent.

b.	to become stable; reach a constant or limit.

c.	to make even or smooth.

—Idioms

35.	find one's or one's own 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.

36.	one's level best, one's very best; one's utmost: We tried our level best to get here on time.

37.	on the level, Informal. honest; sincere; reliable: Is this information on the level?

[Origin: 1300–50; ME (n. and v.), var. of livel (n.) < MF < VL *lībellum, for L lībella plummet line, level, dim. of lībra balance, scales; for formation, see castellum

]

—Related forms

lev·el·ly, adverb

lev·el·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1, 2. flush. Level, even, flat, smooth suggest a uniform surface without marked unevenness. That which is level is parallel to the horizon: a level surface; A billiard table must be level. Flat is applied to any plane surface free from marked irregularities: a flat roof. With reference to land or country, flat connotes lowness or unattractiveness; level does not suggest anything derogatory. That which is even is free from irregularities, though not necessarily level or plane: an even land surface with no hills. Smooth suggests a high degree of evenness in any surface, esp. to the touch and sometimes to the sight: as smooth as silk. 19. smooth, flatten. 21. raze, demolish, destroy. 23. equalize. 26. direct.

—Antonyms 1. uneven. 2. vertical.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Levelling

To learn more about Levelling visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

lev·el Audio Help (lěv'əl) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. Relative position or rank on a scale: the local level of government; studying at the graduate level.
2. A relative degree, as of achievement, intensity, or concentration: an unsafe level of toxicity; a high level of frustration.
3. A horizontal line or plane at right angles to the plumb.
4. The position or height of such a line or plane.
5. An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.
6. Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.
7. A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.
A natural or proper position, place, or stage: I finally found my own level in the business world.
Position along a vertical axis; height or depth: a platform at knee level.
1. A horizontal line or plane at right angles to the plumb.
2. The position or height of such a line or plane.
3. An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.
4. Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.
5. A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.
A flat, horizontal surface.
A land area of uniform elevation.
1. An instrument for ascertaining whether a surface is horizontal, vertical, or at a 45° angle, consisting essentially of an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center window when the instrument is set on an even plane. Also called spirit level.
2. Such a device combined with a telescope and used in surveying.
3. A computation of the difference in elevation between two points by using such a device.

adj.

Having a flat, smooth surface.
Being on a horizontal plane.
1. Being at the same height or position as another; even.
2. Being at the same degree of rank, standing, or advantage as another; equal.
3. Being or relating to a specified rank or standing. Often used in combination: a lower-level administrator.
Exhibiting no abrupt variations; steady: spoke in a level tone.
Rational and balanced; sensible: came to a level appraisal of the situation; keeps a level head in an emergency.
Filled evenly to the top: a level tablespoon of the medicine.

v. lev·eled or lev·elled, lev·el·ing or lev·el·ling, lev·els

v. tr.

To make horizontal, flat, or even: leveled the driveway with a roller; leveled off the hedges with the clippers.
To tear down; raze.
To knock down with or as if with a blow: The challenger leveled the champion with a mighty uppercut.
To place on the same level; equalize.
To aim along a horizontal plane: leveled the gun at the target.
To direct emphatically or forcefully toward someone: leveled charges of dishonesty.
To measure the different elevations of (a tract of land) with a level.

v. intr.

To bring persons or things to an equal level; equalize.
To aim a weapon horizontally.
Informal To be frank and open: advised the suspect to level with the authorities.

adv. Along a flat or even line or plane.

Phrasal Verb(s):
level off

To move toward stability or consistency: Prices leveled off.
To maneuver an aircraft into a flight attitude that is parallel to the surface of the earth after gaining or losing altitude.

Idiom(s):
(one's) level best
The best one can do in an earnest attempt: I did my level best in math class.

Idiom(s):
on the level Informal
Without deception; honest.

[Middle English, an instrument to check that a surface is horizontal, from Old French livel, from Vulgar Latin *lībellum, from Latin lībella, diminutive of lībra, balance.]

lev'el·ly adv., lev'el·ness n.

Synonyms: These adjectives describe surfaces without elevations or depressions. Level implies being parallel with the line of the horizon: acres of level farmland.
Flat applies to surfaces without curves, protuberances, or indentations: a flat rock.
Even refers to flat surfaces in which no part is higher or lower than another: the even surface of the mirror.
Plane is a mathematical term referring to a surface containing all the straight lines connecting any two points on it: a plane figure.
Smooth describes a surface on which the absence of irregularities can be established by sight or touch: smooth marble.
Flush applies to a surface that is on an exact level with an adjoining one: a door that is flush with the wall. See Also Synonyms at aim.