Leveling

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down;
        to reduce to a flat surface; to lower.
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              And their proud structures level with the ground.
                                                    --Sandys.
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              He levels mountains and he raises plains. --Dryden.
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     3. To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to
        point in taking aim; to aim; to direct.
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              Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall,
              leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow.  --Stow.
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     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.
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     5. To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level
        remarks to the capacity of children.
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              For all his mind on honor fixed is,
              To which he levels all his purposes.  --Spenser.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Leveling \Lev"el*ing\, n. [Written also levelling.]
     1. The act or operation of making level.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Surveying) 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Leveling instrument}. See {Surveyor's level}, under {Level},
        n.
  
     {Leveling staff}, a graduated rod or staff used in connection
        with a leveling instrument for measuring differences of
        level between points.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  leveling
       n 1: changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently
            sloping surface [syn: {grading}]
       2: complete destruction of a building [syn: {razing}, {tearing
          down}, {demolishing}]
       3: the act of making equal or uniform [syn: {equalization}, {equalisation}]