Chapter 897

Le"vant (?) , a. Eastern. [Obs.]

Forth rush the levant and the ponent winds. Milton.

Levant <Xpage=845>

Le*vant" (?) , v. i. [Cf. Sp. levantar to raise, go from one place to another.] To run away from one's debts; to decamp. [Colloq. Eng.]

Thackeray.

<page="846"> Page 846

Levanter <Xpage=846>

Le*vant"er (?) , n. [From Levant , v. ] One who levants, or decamps. [Colloq. Eng.]

Levanter <Xpage=846>

Le*vant"er , n. [From Levant , n. ] A strong easterly wind peculiar to the Mediterranean.

W. H. Russell.

Levantine <Xpage=846>

Le*vant"ine (?) , a. [F. levantin , or It. levantino . See Levant , n. ] Of or pertaining to the Levant.

J. Spencer.

Levantine <Xpage=846>

Le*vant"ine , n. 1. A native or inhabitant of the Levant.

2. [F. levantine , or It. levantina .] A stout twilled silk fabric, formerly made in the Levant.

Levari facias <Xpage=846>

Le*va`ri fa"ci*as (?) . [Law L., cause to be levied.] A writ of execution at common law.

Levation <Xpage=846>

Le*va"tion (?) , n. [L. levatio .] The act of raising; elevation; upward motion, as that produced by the action of a levator muscle.

Levator <Xpage=846>

Le*va"tor (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. levare to raise. See Lever , n. ] 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 <Xpage=846>

Leve (?) , a. Dear. See Lief . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leve <Xpage=846>

Leve , n. & v. Same as 3d & 4th Leave . [Obs.]

Leve <Xpage=846>

Leve , v. i. To live. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leve <Xpage=846>

Leve , v. t. [OE., fr. AS. l<?/fan , abbrev. fr. gel<?/fan . See Believe .] To believe. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leve <Xpage=846>

Leve , v. t. [OE. leven , AS. l<?/fan , l<?/fan . See Leave permission.] To grant; -- used esp. in exclamations or prayers followed by a dependent clause. [Obs.]

God leve all be well. Chaucer.

Levee <Xpage=846>

Lev"ee (?) , n. [F. lever , fr. lever to raise, se lever to rise. See Lever , n. ] 1. The act of rising. " The sun's levee ."

Gray.

2. A morning assembly or reception of visitors, -- in distinction from a soir\'82e , or evening assembly; a matin\'82e ; hence, also, any general or somewhat miscellaneous gathering of guests, whether in the daytime or evening; as, the president's levee .

&hand; In England a ceremonious day reception, when attended by both ladies and gentlemen, is called a drawing-room .

Levee <Xpage=846>

Lev"ee , v. t. To attend the levee or levees of.

He levees all the great. Young.

Levee <Xpage=846>

Lev"ee , n. [F. lev\'82e , fr. lever to raise. See Lever , and cf. Levy .] An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi ; sometimes, the steep bank of a river. [U. S. ]

Levee <Xpage=846>

Lev"ee , v. t. To keep within a channel by means of levees; as, to levee a river . [U. S.]

Lev\'82e en masse <Xpage=846>

Le*v\'82e" en` masse" (?) . [F.] See Levy in mass , under Levy , n.

Leveful <Xpage=846>

Leve"ful (?) , a. [ Leve , n. + -ful .] Allowable; permissible; lawful. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Level <Xpage=846>

Lev"el (?) , n. [OE. level , livel , OF. livel , F. niveau , fr. L. libella level, water level, a plumb level, dim. of libra pound, measure for liquids, balance, water poise, level. Cf. 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 l<?/vel of the plateau and then descent 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 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. -- Garpenter'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 the surface of water in a trough, or in upright tubes connected by a pipe.

Level <Xpage=846>

Lev"el (?) , a. 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; 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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"el , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Leveled (?) 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 .

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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"el , v. i. 1. To be level; to be on a level with, or on an equality with, something; hence, to accord; to agree; to suit. [Obs.]

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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"el*er (?) , n. [Written also leveller .] 1. One who, or that which, levels.

2. One who would remove social inequalities or distinctions; a socialist.

Leveling <Xpage=846>

Lev"el*ing , n. [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 , n. -- Leveling staff , a graduated rod or staff used in connection with a leveling instrument for measuring differences of level between points.

Levelism <Xpage=846>

Lev"el*ism (?) , n. The disposition or endeavor to level all distinctions of rank in society.

Levelly <Xpage=846>

Lev"el*ly , adv. In an even or level manner.

Levelness <Xpage=846>

Lev"el*ness , n. The state or quality of being level.

Leven <Xpage=846>

Lev"en (?) , n. [See Levin .] Lightning. [Obs.]

Wild thunder dint and fiery leven . Chaucer.

Lever <Xpage=846>

Lev"er (?) , a. [Old compar. of leve or lief .] More agreeable; more pleasing. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

To be lever than . See Had as lief , under Had .

Lever <Xpage=846>

Lev"er , adv. Bather. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

For lever had I die than see his deadly face. Spenser.

Lever <Xpage=846>

Le"ver (?) , n. [OE. levour , OF. leveor , prop., a lifter, fr. F. lever to raise, L. levare ; akin to levis light in weight, E. levity , and perh. to E. light not heavy: cf. F. levier . Cf. Alleviate , Elevate , Leaven , Legerdemain , Levy , n. ] 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 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. (Mach.) (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 , n. , 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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"er*age (?) , n. 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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"er*et (?) , n. [F. levraut , dim. of li\'8avre hare, L. lepus . Cf. Leporine .] (Zo\'94l.) A hare in the first year of its age.

Leverock <Xpage=846>

Lev"er*ock (?) , n. [See Lark .] A lark. [Scot.]

Leverwood <Xpage=846>

Lev"er*wood` (?) , n. (Bot.) The American hop hornbeam ( Ostrya Virginica ), a small tree with very tough wood.

Levesel <Xpage=846>

Lev"e*sel (?) , n. [AS. le\'a0f a leaf + s\'91l , sel , a room, a hall.] A leafy shelter; a place covered with foliage. [Obs.]

Behind the mill, under a levesel . Chaucer.

Levet <Xpage=846>

Lev"et (?) , n. [Cf. F. lever to raise.] A trumpet call for rousing soldiers; a reveille. [Obs.]

Hudibras.

Leviable <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*a*ble (?) , a. [From Levy to assess.] Fit to be levied; capable of being assessed and collected; as, sums leviable by course of law .

Bacon.

Leviathan <Xpage=846>

Le*vi"a*than (?) , n. [Heb. livy\'beth\'ben .]

1. An aquatic animal, described in the book of Job, ch. xli., and mentioned on other passages of Scripture.

&hand; 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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*er (?) , n. One who levees.

Cartwright.

Levigable <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*ga*ble (?) a. [See Levigate , v. t. ] Capable of being levigated.

Levigate <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*gate (?) , a. [L. levigatus , p. p. of levigare to lighten, fr. l<?/vis light.] Made less harsh or burdensome; alleviated. [Obs.]

Sir. T. Elyot.

Levigate <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*gate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Levigated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Levigating .] [L. levigatus , p. p. of levigare to make smooth, fr. l<?/vis smooth; akin to Gr. <?/.] 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 <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*gate (?) , a. [L. levigatus , p. p. ] Made smooth, as if polished.

Levigation <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*ga"tion (?) , n. [L. levigatio a smoothing: cf. F. l\'82vigation .] The act or operation of levigating.

Levin <Xpage=846>

Lev"in (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain. Cf. Leven .] Lightning. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Levin brand , a thunderbolt. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Leviner <Xpage=846>

Lev"in*er (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A swift hound.

Levir <Xpage=846>

Le"vir (?) , n. [L.] A husband's brother; -- used in reference to levirate marriages.

Levirate, Leviratical <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*rate (?) , Lev`i*rat"ic*al (?) , a. [L. levir a husband's brother, brother-in-law; akin to Gr. <?/: cf. F. l\'82virat 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 <Xpage=846>

Lev`i*ra"tion (?) , n. Levirate marriage or marriages.

Kitto.

Levirostres <Xpage=846>

Lev`i*ros"tres (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. L. levis light + rostrum beak.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of birds, including the hornbills, kingfishers, and related forms.

Levitate <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*tate (?) , v. i. [L. 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.

Levitate <Xpage=846>

Lev"i*tate , v. i. (Spiritualism) To make buoyant; to cause to float in the air; as, to levitate a table . [Cant]

Levitation <Xpage=846>

Lev`i*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. levis light in weight.]

1. Lightness; buoyancy; act of making light.

Paley.

2. The act or process of making buoyant.