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.
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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.
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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.
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{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.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
leveling
n 1: changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently
sloping surface [syn: {grading}, {leveling}]
2: complete destruction of a building [syn: {razing},
{leveling}, {tearing down}, {demolishing}]
3: the act of making equal or uniform [syn: {equalization},
{equalisation}, {leveling}]
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