资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Level \Lev"el\ (l[e^]v"[e^]l), 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
      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.

Spirit \Spir"it\, n. [OF. espirit, esperit, F. esprit, L.
   spiritus, from spirare to breathe, to blow. Cf. {Conspire},
   {Expire}, {Esprit}, {Sprite}.]
   1. Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes,
      life itself. [Obs.] ``All of spirit would deprive.''
      --Spenser.

            The mild air, with season moderate, Gently
            attempered, and disposed eo well, That still it
            breathed foorth sweet spirit.         --Spenser.

   2. A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also, a
      mark to denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.]

            Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it.
                                                  --B. Jonson.

   3. Life, or living substance, considered independently of
      corporeal existence; an intelligence conceived of apart
      from any physical organization or embodiment; vital
      essence, force, or energy, as distinct from matter.

   4. The intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of man; the
      soul, in distinction from the body in which it resides;
      the agent or subject of vital and spiritual functions,
      whether spiritual or material.

            There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the
            Almighty giveth them understanding.   --Job xxxii.
                                                  8.

            As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
            without works is dead also.           --James ii.
                                                  26.

            Spirit is a substance wherein thinking, knowing,
            doubting, and a power of moving, do subsist.
                                                  --Locke.

   5. Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it
      has left the body.

            Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was,
            and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
                                                  --Eccl. xii.
                                                  7.

            Ye gentle spirits far away, With whom we shared the
            cup of grace.                         --Keble.

   6. Any supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a
      specter; a ghost; also, sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an
      elf.

            Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all
            impressions of spirits and goblins in the dark.
                                                  --Locke.

   7. Energy, vivacity, ardor, enthusiasm, courage, etc.

            ``Write it then, quickly,'' replied Bede; and
            summoning all his spirits together, like the last
            blaze of a candle going out, he indited it, and
            expired.                              --Fuller.

   8. One who is vivacious or lively; one who evinces great
      activity or peculiar characteristics of mind or temper;
      as, a ruling spirit; a schismatic spirit.

            Such spirits as he desired to please, such would I
            choose for my judges.                 --Dryden.

   9. Temper or disposition of mind; mental condition or
      disposition; intellectual or moral state; -- often in the
      plural; as, to be cheerful, or in good spirits; to be
      downhearted, or in bad spirits.

            God has . . . made a spirit of building succeed a
            spirit of pulling down.               --South.

            A perfect judge will read each work of wit With the
            same spirit that its author writ.     --Pope.

   10. Intent; real meaning; -- opposed to the letter, or to
       formal statement; also, characteristic quality,
       especially such as is derived from the individual genius
       or the personal character; as, the spirit of an
       enterprise, of a document, or the like.

   11. Tenuous, volatile, airy, or vapory substance, possessed
       of active qualities.

             All bodies have spirits . . . within them. --Bacon.

   12. Any liquid produced by distillation; especially, alcohol,
       the spirits, or spirit, of wine (it having been first
       distilled from wine): -- often in the plural.

   13. pl. Rum, whisky, brandy, gin, and other distilled liquors
       having much alcohol, in distinction from wine and malt
       liquors.

   14. (Med.) A solution in alcohol of a volatile principle. Cf.
       {Tincture}. --U. S. Disp.

   15. (Alchemy) Any one of the four substances, sulphur, sal
       ammoniac, quicksilver, or arsenic (or, according to some,
       orpiment).

             The four spirits and the bodies seven. --Chaucer.

   16. (Dyeing) Stannic chloride. See under {Stannic}.

   Note: Spirit is sometimes joined with other words, forming
         compounds, generally of obvious signification; as,
         spirit-moving, spirit-searching, spirit-stirring, etc.

   {Astral spirits}, {Familiar spirits}, etc. See under
      {Astral}, {Familiar}, etc.

   {Animal spirits}.
       (a) (Physiol.) The fluid which at one time was supposed
           to circulate through the nerves and was regarded as
           the agent of sensation and motion; -- called also the
           {nervous fluid}, or {nervous principle}.
       (b) Physical health and energy; frolicsomeness;
           sportiveness.

   {Ardent spirits}, strong alcoholic liquors, as brandy, rum,
      whisky, etc., obtained by distillation.

   {Holy Spirit}, or {The Spirit} (Theol.), the Spirit of God,
      or the third person of the Trinity; the Holy Ghost. The
      spirit also signifies the human spirit as influenced or
      animated by the Divine Spirit.

   {Proof spirit}. (Chem.) See under {Proof}.

   {Rectified spirit} (Chem.), spirit rendered purer or more
      concentrated by redistillation, so as to increase the
      percentage of absolute alcohol.

   {Spirit butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      delicate butterflies of tropical America belonging to the
      genus {Ithomia}. The wings are gauzy and nearly destitute
      of scales.

   {Spirit duck}. (Zo["o]l.)
       (a) The buffle-headed duck.
       (b) The golden-eye.

   {Spirit lamp} (Art), a lamp in which alcohol or methylated
      spirit is burned.

   {Spirit level}. See under {Level}.

   {Spirit of hartshorn}. (Old Chem.) See under {Hartshorn}.

   {Spirit of Mindererus} (Med.), an aqueous solution of acetate
      of ammonium; -- named after R. Minderer, physician of
      Augsburg.

   {Spirit of nitrous ether} (Med. Chem.), a pale yellow liquid,
      of a sweetish taste and a pleasant ethereal odor. It is
      obtained by the distillation of alcohol with nitric and
      sulphuric acids, and consists essentially of ethyl nitrite
      with a little acetic aldehyde. It is used as a
      diaphoretic, diuretic, antispasmodic, etc. Called also
      {sweet spirit of niter}.

   {Spirit of salt} (Chem.), hydrochloric acid; -- so called
      because obtained from salt and sulphuric acid. [Obs.]

   {Spirit of sense}, the utmost refinement of sensation. [Obs.]
      --Shak.

   {Spirits}, or {Spirit}, {of turpentine} (Chem.), rectified
      oil of turpentine, a transparent, colorless, volatile, and
      very inflammable liquid, distilled from the turpentine of
      the various species of pine; camphine. See {Camphine}.

   {Spirit of vitriol} (Chem.), sulphuric acid; -- so called
      because formerly obtained by the distillation of green
      vitriol. [Obs.]

   {Spirit of vitriolic ether} (Chem.) ether; -- often but
      incorrectly called {sulphuric ether}. See {Ether}. [Obs.]
      

   {Spirits}, or {Spirit}, {of wine} (Chem.), alcohol; -- so
      called because formerly obtained by the distillation of
      wine.

   {Spirit rapper}, one who practices spirit rapping; a
      ``medium'' so called.

   {Spirit rapping}, an alleged form of communication with the
      spirits of the dead by raps. See {Spiritualism}, 3.

   {Sweet spirit of niter}. See {Spirit of nitrous ether},
      above.

资料来源 : WordNet®

spirit level
     n : indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is
         centered in a tube of liquid [syn: {level}]