level English · revision 2323

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340 (Ayenbite of Inwyt)|origins=la lībra}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlev.ᵊl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|level]] (also [[m|enm|livel]]),^(MWU 2024)^(Klein 1966) [[bor|fro|livel]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[la-vul|*lībellum]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000)^(RHWU) an alteration of [[la|lībella|t=balance, level, plummet line]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(RHWU) a diminutive of [[m|la|lībra|t=balance, scales, pound]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(COED 2004) which is of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988) Modern French [[m|fr|niveau]] and Spanish [[m|es|nivel]] come from the same source, altered by dissimilation.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) It is related to [[Libra]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A tool that shows whether a surface is horizontal: 1340, in the ''Ayenbite of Inwyt''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the instrument came “a horizontal condition or position”, probably before 1400,^(Barnhart 1988) and “a position marked by a horizontal line”, as in ''sea level'', from the 1530s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A ''level'' was a flat stretch of land from the 1620s^(Etymonline) and a flat surface from the 1630s.^(Etymonline) The figurative sense, a social, moral or intellectual plane, dates from about 1600,^(Etymonline) 1609 according to Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988) The adjective “having an even surface” is from 1431^(Barnhart 1988) or the early 15th century,^(Etymonline) and the verb “to make level” from about 1440.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Aiming a gun is ''levelling'' it from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline) In the 19th century American slang gave ''one's level best'' (1851),^(Etymonline) and ''on the level'', “honest”, is from 1872.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Level crossing'' dates from 1841^(OED 1989) and ''level-headed'' from 1879.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Level off'' was first used in aviation (1920),^(Etymonline) ''level with'' “to be honest with” is from 1920,^(Etymonline) and ''level up'', recorded by 1863, now comes mostly from computer games (2001).^(Etymonline) The ''level playing field'' became a cliché of business and politics from the 1970s or 1981.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – the instrument (''Ayenbite of Inwyt'').^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1431 – adjective, even.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1440 – verb, to make level.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1530s – a position marked by a horizontal line.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1600 – a social or intellectual plane.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1841 – ''level crossing''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1851 – ''one's level best'' (US).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1872 – ''on the level'', honest.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1879 – ''level-headed''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1920 – ''level off'' and ''level with''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1981 – ''level playing field''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A relative position or rank on a scale.^(AHD)

+ # A relative degree, as of achievement or [[intensity]].^(AHD)

+ # Height or depth; a horizontal line or plane: ''sea level''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A flat horizontal surface, or a flat stretch of land.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # An instrument for finding whether a surface is horizontal: ''a spirit level''.^(AHD)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having a flat, even surface; [[horizontal]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # At the same height, rank or position as another.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Steady, without sudden changes; sensible.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Filled evenly to the brim.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make flat or even.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To knock down or [[raze]].^(AHD)

+ # To make equal.^(AHD)

+ # To aim a weapon; to direct, as an [[accusation]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(informal)'' To speak frankly: ''level with someone''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[levelly]]

+ * [[levelness]]

+ * [[bi-level]]

+ * [[high-level]]

+ * [[low-level]]

+ * [[top-level]]

+ * [[interlevel]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Libra]]

+ * [[deliberate]]

+ * [[lira]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ RHWU compares ''level'', said of what is parallel to the horizon, with ''flat'', which is said of any surface without marked irregularities and of land can suggest lowness or dullness.^(RHWU) ''Even'' means free of irregularities without being necessarily level, and ''smooth'' refers to the feel of a surface.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}