level

noun

A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.

"Hand me the level so I can tell if this is correctly installed."

noun

A distance relative to a given reference elevation.

"By the end of the day, we'd dug down to the level of the old basement floor."

noun

Degree or amount.

"The sound level is much too high; this hurts my ears.   We've reached a new level of success."

noun

Achievement or qualification.

"She achieved a high level of distinction."

noun

Distance from the root node of a tree structure.

noun

One of several discrete segments of a game, generally increasing in difficulty and representing different locations in the game world.

"It took me weeks to get to level seven.   Watch out for the next level; the bad guys there are really overpowered."

noun

A numeric value that quantifies a character's experience and power.

"My half-orc barbarian reached fifth level before he was squashed by a troll."

noun

A floor of a multi-storey building.

"Take the elevator and get off at the promenade level."

noun

An area of almost perfectly flat land.

noun

A school grade or year.

verb

To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground as possible.

"You can level the table by turning the pads that screw into the feet."

verb

To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze.

"The hurricane leveled the forest."

verb

To progress to the next level.

"I levelled after defeating the dragon."

verb

To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc).

"He levelled an accusation of fraud at the directors.  The hunter levels the gun before taking a shot."

verb

To direct or impose (a penalty, fine, etc) at or upon (someone).

verb

To make the score of a game equal.

verb

To bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.

"to level all the ranks and conditions of men"

verb

To adjust or adapt to a certain level.

"to level remarks to the capacity of children"

verb

(usually with "with") To speak honestly and openly with.

adjective

The same height at all places; parallel to a flat ground.

"This table isn't quite level; see how this marble rolls off it?"

adjective

At the same height as some reference; constructed as level with.

"We tried to hang the pictures so that the bottom of the frames were level with the dark line in the wallpaper."

adjective

Unvaried in frequency.

"His pulse has been level for 12 hours."

adjective

Unvaried in volume.

"His voice has been unchanged. It has been level for 12 hours."

adjective

Calm.

"He kept a level gaze."

adjective

In the same position or rank.

adjective

Straightforward; direct; clear.

adjective

Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial.

"a level head; a level understanding"

adjective

Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection; monotonic.