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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 The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Leveling \Lev"el*ing\, noun [Written also levelling.]
1. The act or operation of making level.
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.
{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.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
leveling
noun
1: changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently sloping surface [syn: {grading}]
2: complete destruction of a building [syn: {razing}, {tearing down}, {demolishing}]
3: the act of making equal or uniform [syn: {equalization}, {equalisation}]
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