n.
- a horizontal plane or line with respect to the distance above or below a given point.
- a height or distance from the ground or another base.
▸a floor within a multi-storey building.
- a position or stage on a scale of quantity, extent, rank, or quality.
- a flat area of land.
- an instrument giving a line parallel to the plane of the horizon for testing whether things are horizontal.
▸Surveying an instrument for giving a horizontal line of sight.
adj.
- having a flat, horizontal surface.
▸(of a quantity of a dry substance) not rising above the brim of the measure:
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a level teaspoon of salt.
- at the same height as someone or something else.
- having the same position or value.
- calm and steady:
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a level voice.
v.
(levels, levelling, levelled; US levels, leveling, leveled)
- make or become level.
▸demolish (a building or town).
- make or become equal or similar.
- aim or direct (a weapon, criticism, or accusation).
-
(level with)
informal be frank with.
- Surveying ascertain differences in the height of (land).
Phrase
- do one's level best
make all possible efforts. - level of attainment
Brit. a rating of the ability of a school pupil, on a scale of 1 to 10. - be level pegging
Brit. be equal in score or achievement during a contest. - a level playing field
a situation in which everyone has an equal chance of succeeding. - on the level
informal honest; truthful.
Derivative
- levelly adv.
- levelness n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. livel, based on L. libella, dimin. of libra ‘scales, balance’.
