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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Level \Lev"el\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Leveled} (-[e^]ld) or {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.
2. To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower.
And their proud structures level with the ground. --Sandys.
He levels mountains and he raises plains. --Dryden.
3. To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to point in taking aim; to aim; to direct.
Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall, leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow. --Stow.
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.
5. To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level remarks to the capacity of children.
For all his mind on honor fixed is, To which he levels all his purposes. --Spenser.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
level
adjective
1: having a horizontal surface in which no part is higher or lower than another; "a flat desk"; "acres of level farmland"; "a plane surface" [syn: {flat}, {plane}]
2: not showing abrupt variations; "spoke in a level voice"; "she gave him a level look"- Louis Auchincloss [syn: {unwavering}]
3: being on a precise horizontal plane; "a billiard table must be level"
4: oriented at right angles to the plumb; "the picture is level"
5: of the score in a contest; "the score is tied" [syn: {tied(p)}, {even}, {level(p)}]
noun
1: a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality; "a moderate degree of intelligence"; "a high level of care is required"; "it is all a matter of degree" [syn: {degree}, {grade}]
2: a relative position or degree of value in a graded group; "lumber of the highest grade" [syn: {grade}, {tier}]
3: a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process; "a remarkable degree of frankness"; "at what stage are the social sciences?" [syn: {degree}, {stage}, {point}]
4: height above ground; "the water reached ankle level"; "the pictures were at the same level"
5: indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid [syn: {spirit level}]
6: a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line; "park the car on the level" [syn: {horizontal surface}]
7: structure consisting of a room or set of rooms comprising a single level of a multilevel building; "what level is the office on?" [syn: {floor}, {storey}, {story}]
8: an abstract place usually conceived as having depth; "a good actor communicates on several levels"; "a simile has at least two layers of meaning"; "the mind functions on many strata simultaneously" [syn: {layer}, {stratum}]
verb
1: aim at; "level criticism or charges at somebody"
2: tear down so as to make flat with the ground; "The building was levelled" [syn: {raze}, {rase}, {dismantle}, {tear down}, {take down}, {pull down}] [ant: {raise}]
3: make level or straight; "level the ground" [syn: {flush}, {even out}, {even}]
4: direct into a position for use; "point a gun"; "He charged his weapon at me" [syn: {charge}, {point}]
5: talk frankly with; lay it on the line; "I have to level with you"
6: become level or even; "The ground levelled off" [syn: {level off}] [also: {levelling}, {levelled}]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
levelling See {level}
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |