Part 6487

<h1>Lev\'82e en masse</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Le*v\'82e" en` masse"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>. <ety>[F.]</ety> <def>See <cref>Levy in mass</cref>, under <er>Levy</er>, <tt>n.</tt></def>

<h1>Leveful</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Leve"ful</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Leve</ets>, <tt>n.</tt> + <ets>-ful</ets>.]</ety> <def>Allowable; permissible; lawful.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Level</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"el</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>level</ets>, <ets>livel</ets>, OF. <ets>livel</ets>, F. <ets>niveau</ets>, fr. L. <ets>libella</ets> level, water level, a plumb level, dim. of <ets>libra</ets> pound, measure for liquids, balance, water poise, level. Cf. <er>Librate</er>, <er>Libella</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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 <i>true level</i>, 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.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>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 <i>apparent level</i> at the given point.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>An approximately horizontal line or surface at a certain degree of altitude, or distance from the center of the earth; <as>as, to climb from the <ex>level</ex> of the coast to the <ex>l<?/vel</ex> of the plateau and then descent to the <ex>level</ex> of the valley or of the sea</as>.</def>

<blockquote>After draining of the <b>level</b> in Northamptonshire. <i>Sir M. Hale.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Shot from the deadly <b>level</b> of a gun. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation.</def>

<blockquote>Providence, for the most part, sets us on a <b>level</b>. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Somebody there of his own <b>level</b>. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Be the fair <b>level</b> of thy actions laid As temperance wills and prudence may persuade. <i>Prior.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>A uniform or average height; a normal plane or altitude; a condition conformable to natural law or which will secure a level surface; <as>as, moving fluids seek a <ex>level</ex></as>.</def>

<blockquote>When merit shall find its <b>level</b>. <i>F. W. Robertson.</i></blockquote>

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

<p><b>7.</b> <def>A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in mine.</def>

<cs><mcol><col>Air level</col>, <col>a spirit level</col></mcol>. <cd>See <cref>Spirit level</cref> (below).</cd> -- <col>Box level</col>, <cd>a spirit level in which a glass-covered box is used instead of a tube.</cd> -- <mcol><col>Garpenter's level</col>, <col>Mason's level</col></mcol>, <cd>either the <i>plumb level<i> or a straight bar of wood, in which is imbedded a small spirit level.</cd> -- <col>Level of the sea</col>, <cd>the imaginary level from which heights and depths are calculated, taken at a mean distance between high and low water.</cd> -- <col>Line of levels</col>, <cd>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.</cd> -- <col>Plumb level</col>, <cd>one in which a horizontal bar is placed in true position by means of a plumb line, to which it is at right angles.</cd> -- <col>Spirit level</col>, <cd>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.</cd> -- <col>Surveyor's level</col>, <cd>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 <altname>leveling instrument</altname>.</cd> -- <col>Water level</col>, <cd>an instrument to show the level by means the surface of water in a trough, or in upright tubes connected by a pipe.</cd></cs>

<h1>Level</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"el</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, a <ex>level</ex> field; <ex>level</ex> ground; the <ex>level</ex> surface of a pond or lake.</as></def>

<blockquote>Ample spaces o'er the smooth And <b>level</b> pavement. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; <as>as, the telescope is now <ex>level</ex></as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Even with anything else; of the same height; on the same line or plane; on the same footing; of equal importance; -- followed by <i>with</i>, sometimes by <i>to</i>.</def>

<blockquote>Young boys and girls Are <b>level</b> now with men; the odds is gone. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Everything lies <b>level</b> to our wish. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Straightforward; direct; direct; clear; open.</def>