lev·el / ˈlevəl/ • n. 1. a position on a real or imaginary scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality: a high level of unemployment debt rose to unprecedented levels. ∎  a social, moral, or intellectual standard: at six he could play chess at an advanced level. ∎  a position in a real or notional hierarchy: a fairly junior level of management.2. a height or distance from the ground or another stated or understood base: storms caused river levels to rise.3. an instrument giving a line parallel to the plane of the horizon, for testing whether things are horizontal. ∎  Surveying an instrument for giving a horizontal line of sight.4. a flat tract of land: flooded levels.• adj. 1. having a flat and even surface without slopes or bumps: we had reached level ground. ∎  horizontal: a large paved double courtyard that was level, despite the steep gradient of the hill. ∎  at the same height as someone or something else: his eyes were level with hers. ∎  having the same relative position; not in front of or behind: the car braked suddenly, then backed rapidly until it was level with me. ∎  (of a quantity of a dry substance) with the contents not rising above the brim of the measure: a level teaspoon of salt. ∎  unchanged; not having risen or fallen: earnings were level at 57 cents a share.2. calm and steady: “Adrian,” she said in her most level voice.• v. (-eled, -el·ing; also chiefly Brit. -elled, -el·ling) 1. [tr.] give a flat and even surface to: contractors started leveling the ground for the new power station. ∎  Surveying ascertain differences in the height of (land). ∎  demolish (a building or town): bulldozers are now waiting to level their home.2. [intr.] (level off/out) begin to fly horizontally after climbing or diving. ∎  (of a path, road, or incline) cease to slope upward or downward: the track leveled out, and there below us was the bay. ∎  cease to fall or rise in number, amount, or quantity: inflation has leveled out at an acceptable rate. ∎  [tr.] (level something up/down) increase or reduce the amount, number, or quantity of something in order to remove a disparity.3. [tr.] aim (a weapon): he leveled a long-barreled pistol at us. ∎  direct (a criticism or accusation): accusations of corruption had been leveled against him.4. [intr.] (level with) inf. be frank or honest with (someone): when are you going to level with me?PHRASES: do one's level best do one's utmost; make all possible efforts.find its (own) level (of a liquid) reach the same height in containers that are interconnected. ∎  reach a stable level, value, or position without interference.find one's (own) level (of a person) reach a position or competency that seems appropriate and natural in relation to one's associates.a level playing field a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding.on the level inf. honest; truthful: Eddie said my story was on the level.on a level with in the same horizontal plane as. ∎  equal with: they were treated as menials, on a level with cooks.DERIVATIVES: lev·el·ly adv. (in sense 2 of the adjective ). lev·el·ness n.ORIGIN: Middle English (denoting an instrument to determine whether a surface is horizontal): from Old French livel, based on Latin libella, diminutive of libra ‘scales, balance.’

level

level of a node in a tree. A numerical value equal to one greater than the depth of the same node. The level of the root node is thus one; the level of any other node is one greater than that of its parent. In some texts, the term level is used as a synonym for depth.

level instrument to indicate a line parallel to the horizon XIV; †level condition XV; position marked by a horizontal line XVI; social, etc., plane; level surface XVII. ME. level, livel — OF. livel, later nivel (mod. niveau) :- Rom. *libellum, for L. lībella, dim. of lībra balance, scales.
Hence adj. XVI, vb. XV.