Levantine Le·vant"ine noun 1. A native or inhabitant of the Levant. 2. [ French
levantine , or Italian
levantina .]
A stout twilled silk fabric, formerly made in the Levant.
Levari facias Le·va`ri fa"ci·as (le*vā`ri fā"shĭ*ăs). [ Law Latin , cause to be levied.] A writ of execution at common law.
Levation Le·va"tion (le*vā"shŭn)
noun [ Latin
levatio .]
The act of raising; elevation; upward motion, as that produced by the action of a levator muscle.
Levator Le·va"tor (le*vā"tŏr)
noun [ New Latin , from Latin
levare to raise. See
Lever ,
noun ]
1. (Anat.) A muscle that serves to raise some part, as the lip or the eyelid. 2. (Surg.) A surgical instrument used to raise a depressed part of the skull.
Leve Leve (lēv)
adjective Dear. See Lief . [ Obsolete]
Chaucer.
Leve Leve noun & v. Same as 3d & 4th Leave . [ Obsolete]
Leve Leve intransitive verb To live. [ Obsolete]
Chaucer.
Leve Leve transitive verb [ Middle English , from Anglo-Saxon
lēfan , abbrev. from
gelēfan . See
Believe .]
To believe. [ Obsolete]
Chaucer.
Leve Leve transitive verb [ Middle English
leven , Anglo-Saxon
lēfan ,
lȳfan . See
Leave permission.]
To grant; -- used esp. in exclamations or prayers followed by a dependent clause. [ Obsolete]
God leve all be well.
Chaucer.
Leveche Le·ve"che noun [ Spanish Confer
Lebeccio .]
(Meteor.) A dry sirocco of Spain.
Levee Lev"ee (lĕv"e;
often lĕv*ē" in U. S.)
noun [ French
lever , from
lever to raise,
se lever to rise. See
Lever ,
noun ]
1. The act of rising. " The sun's
levee ."
Gray. 2. A morning assembly or reception of visitors, -- in distinction from a soirée , or evening assembly; a matinée ; hence, also, any general or somewhat miscellaneous gathering of guests, whether in the daytime or evening; as, the president's levee . » In England a ceremonious day reception, when attended by both ladies and gentlemen, is called a
drawing-room .
Levee Lev"ee transitive verb To attend the levee or levees of. He levees all the great.
Young.
Levee Lev"ee noun [ French
levée , from
lever to raise. See
Lever , and confer
Levy .]
An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi; sometimes, the steep bank of a river. [ U. S.]
Levee Lev"ee transitive verb To keep within a channel by means of levees; as, to levee a river. [ U. S.]
Levée en masse Le·vée" en` masse" (l
e *va" äN` mȧs"). [ French]
See Levy in mass , under Levy , noun
Leveful Leve"ful (lēv"ful)
adjective [
Leve ,
noun +
-ful .]
Allowable; permissible; lawful. [ Obsolete]
Chaucer.
Level Lev"el (lĕv"ĕl)
noun [ Middle English
level ,
livel , Old French
livel , French
niveau , from Latin
libella level, water level, a plumb level, dim. of
libra pound, measure for liquids, balance, water poise, level. Confer
Librate ,
Libella .]
1. A line or surface to which, at every point, a vertical or plumb line is perpendicular; a line or surface which is everywhere parallel to the surface of still water; -- this is the true level , and is a curve or surface in which all points are equally distant from the center of the earth, or rather would be so if the earth were an exact sphere. 2. A horizontal line or plane; that is, a straight line or a plane which is tangent to a true level at a given point and hence parallel to the horizon at that point; -- this is the apparent level at the given point. 3. An approximately horizontal line or surface at a certain degree of altitude, or distance from the center of the earth; as, to climb from the level of the coast to the level of the plateau and then descend to the level of the valley or of the sea. After draining of the level in Northamptonshire.
Sir M. Hale. Shot from the deadly level of a gun.
Shak. 4. Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard, degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one of several planes of different elevation. Providence, for the most part, sets us on a level .
Addison. Somebody there of his own level .
Swift. Be the fair level of thy actions laid
As temperance wills and prudence may persuade.
Prior. 5. A uniform or average height; a normal plane or altitude; a condition conformable to natural law or which will secure a level surface; as, moving fluids seek a level . When merit shall find its level .
F. W. Robertson. 6. (Mech. & Surv.) (a) An instrument by which to find a horizontal line, or adjust something with reference to a horizontal line. (b) A measurement of the difference of altitude of two points, by means of a level; as, to take a level . 7. A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine. Air level ,
a spirit level .
See Spirit level (below). --
Box level ,
a spirit level in which a glass-covered box is used instead of a tube. --
Carpenter's level ,
Mason's level ,
either the plumb level or a straight bar of wood, in which is imbedded a small spirit level. --
Level of the sea ,
the imaginary level from which heights and depths are calculated, taken at a mean distance between high and low water. --
Line of levels ,
a connected series of measurements, by means of a level, along a given line, as of a railroad, to ascertain the profile of the ground. --
Plumb level ,
one in which a horizontal bar is placed in true position by means of a plumb line, to which it is at right angles. --
Spirit level ,
one in which the adjustment to the horizon is shown by the position of a bubble in alcohol or ether contained in a nearly horizontal glass tube, or a circular box with a glass cover. --
Surveyor's level ,
a telescope, with a spirit level attached, and with suitable screws, etc., for accurate adjustment, the whole mounted on a tripod, for use in leveling; -- called also leveling instrument . --
Water level ,
an instrument to show the level by means of the surface of water in a trough, or in upright tubes connected by a pipe.
Level Lev"el (lĕv"ĕl)
adjective 1. Even; flat; having no part higher than another; having, or conforming to, the curvature which belongs to the undisturbed liquid parts of the earth's surface; as, a level field; level ground; the level surface of a pond or lake. Ample spaces o'er the smooth
And level pavement.
Milton. 2. Coinciding or parallel with the plane of the horizon; horizontal; as, the telescope is now level . 3. Even with anything else; of the same height; on the same line or plane; on the same footing; of equal importance; -- followed by with , sometimes by to . Young boys and girls
Are level now with men; the odds is gone.
Shak. Everything lies level to our wish.
Shak. 4. Straightforward; direct; clear; open. A very plain and level account.
M. Arnold. 5. Well balanced; even; just; steady; impartial; as, a level head; a level understanding. [ Colloq.] " A
level consideration."
Shak. 6. (Phonetics) Of even tone; without rising or falling inflection. H. Sweet. Level line (Shipbuilding) ,
the outline of a section which is horizontal crosswise, and parallel with the rabbet of the keel lengthwise. --
Level surface (Physics) ,
an equipotential surface at right angles at every point to the lines of force.
Level Lev"el transitive verb [
imperfect & past participle Leveled (-ĕld) or
Levelled ;
present participle & verbal noun 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. 2. To bring to a lower level; to overthrow; to topple down; to reduce to a flat surface; to lower. And their proud structures level with the ground.
Sandys. He levels mountains and he raises plains.
Dryden. 3. To bring to a horizontal position, as a gun; hence, to point in taking aim; to aim; to direct. Bertram de Gordon, standing on the castle wall, leveled a quarrel out of a crossbow.
Stow. 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. 5. To adjust or adapt to a certain level; as, to level remarks to the capacity of children. For all his mind on honor fixed is,
To which he levels all his purposes.
Spenser.
Level Lev"el intransitive verb 1. To be level; to be on a level with, or on an equality with, something; hence, to accord; to agree; to suit. [ Obsolete]
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
Shak. 2. To aim a gun, spear, etc., horizontally; hence, to aim or point a weapon in direct line with the mark; fig., to direct the eye, mind, or effort, directly to an object. The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife.
Shak. The glory of God and the good of his church . . . ought to be the mark whereat we also level .
Hooker. She leveled at our purposes.
Shak.
Leveler Lev"el·er (-ẽr)
noun [ Written also
leveller .]
1. One who, or that which, levels. 2. One who would remove social inequalities or distinctions; a socialist.
Leveling Lev"el·ing noun [ Written also
levelling .]
1. The act or operation of making level. 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. Leveling instrument .
See Surveyor's level , under Level , noun --
Leveling staff ,
a graduated rod or staff used in connection with a leveling instrument for measuring differences of level between points.
Levelism Lev"el·ism (-ĭz'm)
noun The disposition or endeavor to level all distinctions of rank in society.
Levelly Lev"el·ly adverb In an even or level manner.
Levelness Lev"el·ness noun The state or quality of being level.
Leven Lev"en (lĕv"
e n)
noun [ See
Levin .]
Lightning. [ Obsolete]
Wild thunder dint and fiery leven .
Chaucer.
Lever Lev"er (lē"vẽr)
adjective [ Old compar. of
leve or
lief .]
More agreeable; more pleasing. [ Obsolete]
Chaucer. To be lever than .
See Had as lief , under Had .
Lever Lev"er adverb Rather. [ Obsolete]
Chaucer. For lever had I die than see his deadly face.
Spenser.
Lever Le"ver (lē"vẽr or lĕv"ẽr; 277)
noun [ Middle English
levour , Old French
leveor , prop., a lifter, from French
lever to raise, Latin
levare ; akin to
levis light in weight, English
levity , and perhaps to English
light not heavy: confer French
levier . Confer
Alleviate ,
Elevate ,
Leaven ,
Legerdemain ,
Levee ,
Levy ,
noun ]
1. (Mech.) A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; -- used for transmitting and modifying force and motion. Specif., a bar of metal, wood, or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a fulcrum . It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is of three kinds, according as either the fulcrum F, the weight W, or the power P, respectively, is situated between the other two, as in the figures. 2. (Machinery) (a) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it. (b) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it. Compound lever ,
a machine consisting of two or more levers acting upon each other. --
Lever escapement .
See Escapement . --
Lever jack .
See Jack , noun , 5. --
Lever watch ,
a watch having a vibrating lever to connect the action of the escape wheel with that of the balance. --
Universal lever ,
a machine formed by a combination of a lever with the wheel and axle, in such a manner as to convert the reciprocating motion of the lever into a continued rectilinear motion of some body to which the power is applied.
Leverage Lev"er·age (lĕv"ẽr*aj or lē"vẽr*aj)
noun The action of a lever; mechanical advantage gained by the lever. Leverage of a couple (Mech.) ,
the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of two forces which act in parallel and opposite directions. --
Leverage of a force ,
the perpendicular distance from the line in which a force acts upon a body to a point about which the body may be supposed to turn.
Leveret Lev"er·et (lĕv"ẽr*ĕt)
noun [ French
levraut , dim. of
lièvre hare, Latin
lepus . Confer
Leporine .]
(Zoology) A hare in the first year of its age.
Leverock Lev"er·ock (-ŏk)
noun [ See
Lark .]
A lark. [ Scot.]
Leverwood Lev"er·wood` (lĕv"ẽr*wod`)
noun (Botany) The American hop hornbeam ( Ostrya Virginica ), a small tree with very tough wood.
Levesel Lev"e·sel (lĕv"e*sĕl)
noun [ Anglo-Saxon
leáf a leaf +
sæl ,
sel , a room, a hall.]
A leafy shelter; a place covered with foliage. [ Obsolete]
Behind the mill, under a levesel .
Chaucer.
Levet Lev"et (lĕv"ĕt)
noun [ Confer French
lever to raise.]
A trumpet call for rousing soldiers; a reveille. [ Obsolete]
Hudibras.
Leviable Lev"i·a·ble (lĕv"ĭ*ȧ*b'l)
adjective [ From
Levy to assess.]
Fit to be levied; capable of being assessed and collected; as, sums leviable by course of law. Bacon.
Leviathan Le·vi"a·than (le*vī"ȧ*th
a n)
noun [ Hebrew
livyāthān .]
1. An aquatic animal, described in the book of Job, ch. xli., and mentioned in other passages of Scripture. » It is not certainly known what animal is intended, whether the crocodile, the whale, or some sort of serpent.
2. The whale, or a great whale. Milton.
Levier Lev"i·er (lĕv"ĭ*ẽr)
noun One who levies. Cartwright.
Levigable Lev"i·ga·ble (lĕv"ĭ*gȧ*b'l)
adjective [ See
Levigate ,
transitive verb ]
Capable of being levigated.
Levigate Lev"i·gate (-gat)
adjective [ Latin
levigatus , past participle of
levigare to lighten, from
lĕvis light.]
Made less harsh or burdensome; alleviated. [ Obsolete]
Sir T. Elyot.
Levigate Lev"i·gate (-gāt)
transitive verb [
imperfect & past participle Levigated (- gā`tĕd);
present participle & verbal noun Levigating .] [ Latin
levigatus , past participle of
levigare to make smooth, from
lēvis smooth; akin to Greek
lei^os .]
To make smooth in various senses :
(a) To free from grit; to reduce to an impalpable powder or paste. (b) To mix thoroughly, as liquids or semiliquids. (c) To polish. (d) To make smooth in action. " When use hath
levigated the organs."
Barrow. (e) Technically, to make smooth by rubbing in a moist condition between hard surfaces, as in grinding pigments.
Levigate Lev"i·gate (-gat)
adjective [ Latin
levigatus ,
past participle ]
Made smooth, as if polished.
Levigation Lev`i·ga"tion (lĕv`ĭ*gā"shŭn)
noun [ Latin
levigatio a smoothing: confer French
lévigation .]
The act or operation of levigating.
Levin Lev"in (lĕv"ĭn)
noun [ Etymol. uncertain. Confer
Leven .]
Lightning. [ Obsolete]
Spenser. Levin brand ,
a thunderbolt. [ Obsolete]
Spenser.
Leviner Lev"in·er (-ẽr)
noun (Zoology) A swift hound.
Levir Le"vir (lē"vẽr)
noun [ Latin ]
A husband's brother; -- used in reference to levirate marriages.
Levirate Lev"i·rate (lĕv"ĭ*rat),
Lev`i*rat"ic*al (-răt"ĭ*k
a l)
adjective [ Latin
levir a husband's brother, brother- in-law; akin to Greek
dah`r : confer French
lévirat leviration.]
Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with, a law of the ancient Israelites and other tribes and races, according to which a woman, whose husband died without issue, was married to the husband's brother. The firstborn son of a leviratical marriage was reckoned and registered as the son of the deceased brother.
Alford.
Leviration Lev`i·ra"tion (lĕv`ĭ*rā"shŭn)
noun Levirate marriage or marriages. Kitto.
Levirostres Lev`i·ros"tres (-rŏs"trēz)
noun plural [ New Latin , from Latin
levis light +
rostrum beak.]
(Zoology) A group of birds, including the hornbills, kingfishers, and related forms.
Levitate Lev"i·tate (lĕv"ĭ*tāt)
intransitive verb [ Latin
levitas ,
-atis , lightness. See
Levity .]
To rise, or tend to rise, as if lighter than the surrounding medium; to become buoyant; -- opposed to gravitate . Sir. J. Herschel.
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