levels

A tool for finding whether a surface is level, or for creating a horizontal or vertical line of reference.

“Hand me the level so I can tell if this is correctly installed.”

A distance relative to a given reference elevation.

“By the end of the day, we'd dug down to the level of the old basement floor.”

Degree or amount.

“The sound level is much too high; this hurts my ears.   We've reached a new level of success.”

Achievement or qualification.

“She achieved a high level of distinction.”

Distance from the root node of a tree structure.

One of several discrete segments of a game, generally increasing in difficulty and representing different locations in the game world.

“It took me weeks to get to level seven.   Watch out for the next level; the bad guys there are really overpowered.”

A numeric value that quantifies a character's experience and power.

“My half-orc barbarian reached fifth level before he was squashed by a troll.”

A floor of a multi-storey building.

“Take the elevator and get off at the promenade level.”

An area of almost perfectly flat land.

A school grade or year.

To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the ground as possible.

“You can level the table by turning the pads that screw into the feet.”

To destroy by reducing to ground level; to raze.

“The hurricane leveled the forest.”

To progress to the next level.

“I levelled after defeating the dragon.”

To aim or direct (a weapon, a stare, an accusation, etc).

“He levelled an accusation of fraud at the directors.  The hunter levels the gun before taking a shot.”

To direct or impose (a penalty, fine, etc) at or upon (someone).

To make the score of a game equal.

To bring to a common level or plane, in respect of rank, condition, character, privilege, etc.

“to level all the ranks and conditions of men”

To adjust or adapt to a certain level.

“to level remarks to the capacity of children”

(usually with "with") To speak honestly and openly with.