Levelling

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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              And their proud structures level with the ground.
                                                    --Sandys.
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              He levels mountains and he raises plains. --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to
        point in taking aim; to aim; to direct.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall,
              leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow.  --Stow.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level
        remarks to the capacity of children.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              For all his mind on honor fixed is,
              To which he levels all his purposes.  --Spenser.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  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)}]
       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}]
       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}]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  levelling
       See {level}