level

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   oriented at right angles to the plumb

   the picture is level

2. 2
   adj

   being on a precise horizontal plane

   a billiard table must be level

3. 3
   adj

   not showing abrupt variations

   spoke in a level voice

4. 4
   noun

   a structure consisting of a room or set of rooms at a single position along a vertical scale

   What level is the office on?

5. 5
   noun

   a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line

   Park the car on the level.

6. 6
   noun

   indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is centered in a tube of liquid

   Bring me a level. This board looks slightly askew.

7. 7
   noun

   a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

   That was a level four earthquake.

8. 8
   noun

   height above ground

   The water reached ankle level.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *leyH-der. Proto-Indo-European *-dʰromder. Proto-Italic *līðrā? Latin lībra Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Indo-European *-elós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -lus Latin libella Old French nivel Old French livelbor. Middle English level English level From Middle English level, from Old French livel, liveau m, later nivel, niveau, from Latin libella f (“a balance, a level”), diminutive of libra f (“a balance, a level”); see libra, librate. Doublet of libella and niveau. The verb is from Middle English levelen, from the noun.