ˈlevl n.,
adj., & v. --n. 1 a
horizontal line or plane. 2 a
height or
value reached, a
position on a real or
imaginary scale (eye level;
sugar level in
the blood;
danger level). 3 a
social,
moral, or
intellectual standard. 4 a plane of rank or
authority (discussions at
Cabinet level). 5 a an
instrument giving a line
parallel to the plane of the
horizon for testing
whether things are horizontal. b Surveying an instrument for giving a horizontal line of
sight. 6 a
more or
less level
surface. 7 a flat tract of
land. --adj. 1 having a flat
and even surface;
not bumpy. 2 horizontal;
perpendicular to the plumb-line. 3 (often foll. by with) a on the
same horizontal plane as
something else. b having
equality with something else. c (of a spoonful etc.) with the contents flat with the
brim. 4 even,
uniform,
equable, or well-balanced in
quality,
style,
temper,
judgement, etc. 5 (of a race) having the leading competitors close
together. --v. (levelled, levelling; US leveled, leveling) 1 tr.
make level, even, or uniform. 2 tr. (often foll. by to (or with) the ground, in the dust)
raze or
demolish. 3 tr. (also absol.)
aim (a
missile or gun). 4 tr. (also absol.; foll. by
at, against)
direct (an
accusation,
criticism, or satire). 5 tr.
abolish (distinctions). 6 intr. (usu. foll. by with) sl. be
frank or
honest. 7 tr.
place on the same level. 8 tr. (also absol.) Surveying
ascertain differences in the height of (land). ødo one's level
best colloq. do one's
utmost; make
all possible efforts.
find one's level 1
reach the
right social, intellectual, etc. place in
relation to others. 2 (of a liquid) reach the same height in receptacles or regions
which communicate with
each other. level
crossing Brit. a crossing of a
railway and a road, or
two railways, at the same level. level down
bring down to a standard. levelling-screw a
screw for adjusting parts of a
machine etc. to an
exact level. level
off make or
become level or
smooth. level
out make or become level,
remove differences
from. level pegging Brit. equality of scores or achievements. level up bring up to a standard. on the level colloq. adv.
honestly,
without deception. --adj. honest,
truthful. on a level with 1 in the same horizontal plane
as. 2
equal with. øølevelly adv. levelness n. [ME f. OF livel ult. f. L libella dimin. of
libra scales, balance]