- level#
- level vb point, train, *direct, aim, laylevel adj Level, flat, plane, plain, even, smooth, flush are comparable chiefly as applied to surfaces and as meaning having a surface comparable to that of a perfectly calm body of water with no part higher than another.Something is level whose surface, from every point of view, lies on a line corresponding to or parallel with that of the horizon{
the top of the table is not perfectly level
}{the prairies are vast stretches of nearly level land
}{a plot of ground made level by grading
}But level is also applicable to an adjacent surface lying in exactly the same plane{in the spring, the river's surface is often level with its banks
}{buildings whose roofs are level with one another
}In extended use level implies an equality of parts, or of one thing with another, so that there are no manifest fluctuations or irregularities; thus, to speak in a level voice is to speak without the variations in pitch or voice volume that indicate imperfect self-control; to keep a level head is to keep free from distracting excitement.Something is flat (see also INSIPID) which is marked by absence of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions, whether it lies in a horizontal plane or not{there is no flat ground hereabouts
}{the flat face of a cliff
}{the sides of a pyramid are all flat
}But flat may apply to something that lies directly upon or against a flat surface>>{flat feet
}{lay the map flat on the table
}{the chairs have their backs flat against the wall
}{lie flat on the ground
}In extended use flat applies sometimes to what is so lacking in variation or variety as to be monotonous{a flat speech delivered by the new president
}{a flat entertainment
}or to what gives no ground for doubt or for difference in description because direct, pure, complete, or unqualified{a flat question
}{a belief that is flat heresy
}{a flat failure
}or to what is fixed or absolutely exact{ask a flat price
}{he ran the race in a flat ten sec- onds
}Something is plane or plain which is flat and usually level.Plane is more usual in technical and mathematical use and more often applies to angles, curves, or figures (as triangles, rectangles, and pentagons) all points of which lie in the same real or imaginary surface so that if any two points be taken within the boundary lines of the angle, curve, or figure, the straight line joining them lies wholly within that surface; thus, plane geometry, which deals with plane angles, curves, and figures, is distinguished from solid geometry{the plane sides of a crystal
}Plain is much less frequent in adjectival use and applies chiefly to the ground{I recovered some strength, so as to be able to walk a little on plain ground— John Wesley
}Something is even (see also STEADY) which exhibits a uniformity of all the points either of a plane surface or of a line so that the surface's flatness or levelness or the line's straightness is observable{he trimmed the top of the hedge to make it even
}{the hem of your skirt is not even
}{the frigate was on an even keel— Marryat
}Something is smooth that exhibits perfect evenness of surface, as though polished, rolled, or planed free from the slightest traces of roughness or unevenness{the smooth surface of a rubbed and polished table
}{a smooth lawn
}{the tall bamboo and the long moss threw farther shadows . . . over the smooth bayou— Stark Young
}A surface or a line is flush that is in the same horizontal or vertical plane or forms a continuous surface or line with another surface or line{the front of the house is flush with the front boundary line
}{the river's surface is now flush with that of its banks
}{a flush panel
}{in the ordinary printed page, all lines are flush except those in titles or headings or those that are indented for paragraphing
}Analogous words: parallel, uniform, *like, alike, akin, identical, similar: *same, equivalent, equal
New Dictionary of Synonyms. 2014.
