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.
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.