Part 6489

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Surveying)</fld> <def>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.</def>

<cs><col>Leveling instrument</col>. <cd>See <cref>Surveyor's level</cref>, under <er>Level</er>, <tt>n.</tt></cd> -- <col>Leveling staff</col>, <cd>a graduated rod or staff used in connection with a leveling instrument for measuring differences of level between points.</cd></cs>

<h1>Levelism</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"el*ism</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The disposition or endeavor to level all distinctions of rank in society.</def>

<h1>Levelly</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"el*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In an even or level manner.</def>

<h1>Levelness</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"el*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The state or quality of being level.</def>

<h1>Leven</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"en</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Levin</er>.]</ety> <def>Lightning.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Wild thunder dint and fiery <b>leven</b>. <i>Chaucer.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Lever</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Old compar. of <ets>leve</ets> or <ets>lief</ets>.]</ety> <def>More agreeable; more pleasing.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<cs><col>To be lever than</col>. <cd>See <cref>Had as lief</cref>, under <er>Had</er>.</cd></cs>

<h1>Lever</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"er</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>Bather.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<blockquote>For <b>lever</b> had I die than see his deadly face. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Lever</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Le"ver</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>levour</ets>, OF. <ets>leveor</ets>, prop., a lifter, fr. F. <ets>lever</ets> to raise, L. <ets>levare</ets>; akin to <ets>levis</ets> light in weight, E. <ets>levity</ets>, and perh. to E. <ets>light</ets> not heavy: cf. F. <ets>levier</ets>. Cf. <er>Alleviate</er>, <er>Elevate</er>, <er>Leaven</er>, <er>Legerdemain</er>, <er>Levy</er>, <tt>n.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <def>A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; -- used for transmitting and modifying force and motion. Specif., a bar of metal, wood, or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a <i>fulcrum</i>. It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is three kinds, according as either the <i>fulcrum</i> F, the <i>weight</i> W, or the <i>power</i> P. respectively, is situated between the other two, as in the figures.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Mach.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it</def>. <sd>(b)</sd> <def>An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.</def>

<cs><col>Compound lever</col>, <cd>a machine consisting of two or more levers acting upon each other.</cd> -- <col>Lever escapement</col>. <cd>See <er>Escapement</er>.</cd> -- <col>Lever jack</col>. <cd>See <er>Jack</er>, <tt>n.</tt>, 5.</cd> -- <col>Lever watch</col>, <cd>a watch having a vibrating lever to connect the action of the escape wheel with that of the balance.</cd> <col>Universal lever</col>, <cd>a machine formed by a combination of a lever with the wheel and axle, in such a manner as to convert the reciprocating motion of the lever into a continued rectilinear motion of some body to which the power is applied.</cd></cs>

<h1>Leverage</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"er*age</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The action of a lever; mechanical advantage gained by the lever.</def>

<cs><col>Leverage of a couple</col> <fld>(Mech.)</fld>, <cd>the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of two forces which act in parallel and opposite directions.</cd> -- <col>Leverage of a force</col>, <cd>the perpendicular distance from the line in which a force acts upon a body to a point about which the body may be supposed to turn.</cd></cs>

<h1>Leveret</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Lev"er*et</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>levraut</ets>, dim. of <ets>li\'8avre</ets> hare, L. <ets>lepus</ets>. Cf. <er>Leporine</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>A hare in the first year of its age.</def>