a device used for determining or adjusting something to a horizontal surface.
8.
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.
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.
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.
to speak truthfully and openly (often followed 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 (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; Middle English (noun and v.), variant of livel (noun) < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *lībellum, for Latin lībella plummet line, level, diminutive of lībra balance, scales; for formation, see castellum
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, especially to the touch and sometimes to the sight: as smooth as silk. 19. smooth, flatten. 21. raze, demolish, destroy. 23. equalize. 26. direct.