level

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Antonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations 1.4.3 See also 1.5 Verb 1.5.1 Derived terms 1.5.2 Translations 1.6 External links

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

< Middle English level < Old French livel, liveau, later nivel, niveau < Latin libella (“‘a balance, a level’”), diminutive of libra (“‘a balance, a level’”); see libra, librate.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (British, US) IPA: /ˈlɛv.əl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɛvəl

[edit] Adjective

level (comparative leveler, superlative levelest)

1. The same height at all places; parallel to the ground.

   This table isn't quite level; see how this marble rolls off it?

2. At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.

   We tried to hang the pictures so that the bottom of the frames were level with the dark line in the wallpaper.

3. (Frequency) Being unvaried.

   His pulse has been level for 12 hours.

4. Being sensible.

   He kept a level head under stress.

[edit] Antonyms

• unbalanced
• uneven
• tilted

[edit] Derived terms

• level playing field
• dead level

[edit] Related terms

• square

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

level (plural levels)

1. A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.

   Hand me the level so I can tell if this is correctly installed.

2. A distance relative to a given reference elevation.

   By the end of the day, we'd dug down to the level of the old basement floor.

3. Degree or amount.

   The sound level is much too high; this hurts my ears.

   We've reached a new level of success.

4. In an Internet post, an indication of the number of previous replies at which a portion of text was written.
5. (gaming) One of several discrete segments of a game generally increasing in difficulty. Often numbered. Often, each level occupies different physical space (levels don't require any direct physical relationship to each other, e.g. vertically stacked, horizontally chained, etc).

   It took me weeks to get to level seven.

   Watch out for the next level; the bad guys there are really overpowered.

6. (gaming) A periodic progression of integer values that quantify a character's experience and power.

   My half-orc barbarian reached fifth level before he was squashed by a troll.

7. A floor of a multi-storey building.

   Take the elevator and get off at the promenade level.

8. (British) an area of almost perfectly flat land.

[edit] Derived terms

• bonus level
• dead level
• on the level
• spirit level
• split level
• to the next level

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• Wikipedia article on newsgroup posting style

[edit] Verb

to level (third-person singular simple present levels, present participle leveling, simple past and past participle leveled) or

to level (third-person singular simple present levels, present participle levelling, simple past and past participle levelled)

1. To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground of possible.

   You can level the table by turning the pads that screw into the feet.

2. To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze.

   The hurricane leveled the forest.

3. (gaming) To progress to the next level.

   I levelled after defeating the dragon.

4. To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc).

   He levelled an accusation of fraud.

5. (nonstandard, rare) To levy.
   • 2007, Mary Jacoby, EU investigators endorse charges against Intel, Wall Street Journal Europe (17 Jan 07, p. 32, col 5),

     Ultimately, Ms. Kroes [European Union Antitrust Commissioner] could level a fine and order Intel to change its business practices.

[edit] Derived terms

• level out
• level up
• level with someone

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• level in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• level in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911