level ism

[English level; -ism.] The act, principle, or theory of reducing distinctions in society to an equality. level-lý, adv. [Eng. level; -ly.] In a level manner; evenly. "Neither would praises and actions appear so levelly concurrent in many other of the Grecians, as they do in these."-Hobbes: Thucydides , bk. ii. lěv-el-ne , s. [Eng. level; ne .] The quality or state of being level; evenne ; equality of surface or height. *lěv-en (1), 8. [LEAVEN, 8.] leven (2), s. [LEVIN.] IMG:content-0510.png:[blocks in formation] lē'-věr (1), *lē'-vour, s . [Fr. leveur a raiser or lifter; also levier =a lever, from Lat. levatorem , acc us. of levator =a lifter, from levatus , pa. par. of levo to lift, to make light; levis =light.] 1. Mech .: A bar of wood, metal, or other rigid substance, having a fixed point (or fulcrum), and used to overcome a certain resistance (or weight) at some part of the bar by means of a force (or power) applied at another part. The parts of the lever into which the fulcrum divides it are called the arms of the lever. When the arms are in the same straight line the lever is called a straight lever; in other cases it is called a bent lever. The plane in which the lever can move may be called the plane of the lever. The forces which act on the lever are supposed to act in the plane of the lever. IMG:content-0511.png:[blocks in formation] 2512 weight act on opposite sides of the fulcrum. In the second cla the power and the weight act on the same side of the fulcrum, the weight being the nearer to the fulcrum. In the third cla the power and the weight act on the same side of the fulcrum, the power being the nearer to the fulcrum. Thus we may say briefly that the three cla es have respectively the fulcrum, the weight, and the power in the middle position. The following are examples of levers of the first cla : A crowbar used to raise a heavy weight, a poker used to raise coals in a grate, the handle of a pump. In sci ors, shears, nippers, and pincers we have examples of a double lever of the first cla . The oar of a boat furnishes an example of a lever of the second cla . The fulcrum is at the blade of the oar in the water; the power is applied by the hand; the weight is applied at the row-lock. A pair of nutcrackers is a double lever of the second cla . A pair of tongs used to IMG:content-0512.png:[blocks in formation] *lěvět, s. [Fr. lever =to raise, to arouse.] Mil.: The morning call on the trumpet, by which soldiers are aroused; a reveille.