Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Level \Lev"el\ (l[e^]v"[e^]l), n. [OE. level, livel, OF. livel,
   F. niveau, fr. L. libella level, water level, a plumb level,
   dim. of libra pound, measure for liquids, balance, water
   poise, level. Cf. {Librate}, {Libella}.]
   1. A line or surface to which, at every point, a vertical or
      plumb line is perpendicular; a line or surface which is
      everywhere parallel to the surface of still water; -- this
      is the true level, and is a curve or surface in which all
      points are equally distant from the center of the earth,
      or rather would be so if the earth were an exact sphere.

   2. A horizontal line or plane; that is, a straight line or a
      plane which is tangent to a true level at a given point
      and hence parallel to the horizon at that point; -- this
      is the apparent level at the given point.

   3. An approximately horizontal line or surface at a certain
      degree of altitude, or distance from the center of the
      earth; as, to climb from the level of the coast to the
      level of the plateau and then descend to the level of the
      valley or of the sea.

            After draining of the level in Northamptonshire.
                                                  --Sir M. Hale.

            Shot from the deadly level of a gun.  --Shak.

   4. Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard,
      degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one
      of several planes of different elevation.

            Providence, for the most part, sets us on a level.
                                                  --Addison.

            Somebody there of his own level.      --Swift.

            Be the fair level of thy actions laid As temperance
            wills and prudence may persuade.      --Prior.

   5. A uniform or average height; a normal plane or altitude; a
      condition conformable to natural law or which will secure
      a level surface; as, moving fluids seek a level.

            When merit shall find its level.      --F. W.
                                                  Robertson.

   6. (Mech. & Surv.)
      (a) An instrument by which to find a horizontal line, or
          adjust something with reference to a horizontal line.
      (b) A measurement of the difference of altitude of two
          points, by means of a level; as, to take a level.

   7. A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine.

   {Air level}, {a spirit level}. See {Spirit level} (below).

   {Box level}, a spirit level in which a glass-covered box is
      used instead of a tube.

   {Carpenter's level}, {Mason's level}, either the plumb level
      or a straight bar of wood, in which is imbedded a small
      spirit level.

   {Level of the sea}, the imaginary level from which heights
      and depths are calculated, taken at a mean distance
      between high and low water.

   {Line of levels}, a connected series of measurements, by
      means of a level, along a given line, as of a railroad, to
      ascertain the profile of the ground.

   {Plumb level}, one in which a horizontal bar is placed in
      true position by means of a plumb line, to which it is at
      right angles.

   {Spirit level}, one in which the adjustment to the horizon is
      shown by the position of a bubble in alcohol or ether
      contained in a nearly horizontal glass tube, or a circular
      box with a glass cover.

   {Surveyor's level}, a telescope, with a spirit level
      attached, and with suitable screws, etc., for accurate
      adjustment, the whole mounted on a tripod, for use in
      leveling; -- called also {leveling instrument}.

   {Water level}, an instrument to show the level by means of
      the surface of water in a trough, or in upright tubes
      connected by a pipe.

Level \Lev"el\, v. t. [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.

Level \Lev"el\ (l[e^]v"[e^]l), a.
   1. Even; flat; having no part higher than another; having, or
      conforming to, the curvature which belongs to the
      undisturbed liquid parts of the earth's surface; as, a
      level field; level ground; the level surface of a pond or
      lake.

            Ample spaces o'er the smooth And level pavement.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon;
      horizontal; as, the telescope is now level.

   3. Even with anything else; of the same height; on the same
      line or plane; on the same footing; of equal importance;
      -- followed by with, sometimes by to.

            Young boys and girls Are level now with men; the
            odds is gone.                         --Shak.

            Everything lies level to our wish.    --Shak.

   4. Straightforward; direct; clear; open.

            A very plain and level account.       --M. Arnold.

   5. Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level
      head; a level understanding. [Colloq.] `` A level
      consideration.'' --Shak.

   6. (Phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling
      inflection. --H. Sweet.

   {Level line} (Shipbuilding), the outline of a section which
      is horizontal crosswise, and parallel with the rabbet of
      the keel lengthwise.

   {Level surface} (Physics), an equipotential surface at right
      angles at every point to the lines of force.

Level \Lev"el\, v. i.
   1. To be level; to be on a level with, or on an equality
      with, something; hence, to accord; to agree; to suit.
      [Obs.]

            With such accommodation and besort As levels with
            her breeding.                         --Shak.

   2. To aim a gun, spear, etc., horizontally; hence, to aim or
      point a weapon in direct line with the mark; fig., to
      direct the eye, mind, or effort, directly to an object.

            The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge
            of a penknife.                        --Shak.

            The glory of God and the good of his church . . .
            ought to be the mark whereat we also level.
                                                  --Hooker.

            She leveled at our purposes.          --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

level
     v 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}]

level
     adj 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)}]
     [also: {levelling}, {levelled}]

level
     n 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}]
     [also: {levelling}, {levelled}]