Spirit level

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
spirit level
    n 1: indicator that establishes the horizontal when a bubble is
         centered in a tube of liquid [syn: {level}, {spirit level}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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   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.
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   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.
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            After draining of the level in Northamptonshire.
                                                  --Sir M. Hale.
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            Shot from the deadly level of a gun.  --Shak.
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   4. Hence, figuratively, a certain position, rank, standard,
      degree, quality, character, etc., conceived of as in one
      of several planes of different elevation.
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            Providence, for the most part, sets us on a level.
                                                  --Addison.
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            Somebody there of his own level.      --Swift.
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            Be the fair level of thy actions laid
            As temperance wills and prudence may persuade.
                                                  --Prior.
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   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.
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            When merit shall find its level.      --F. W.
                                                  Robertson.
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   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.
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   7. A horizontal passage, drift, or adit, in a mine.
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   {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.
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from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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            The mild air, with season moderate,
            Gently attempered, and disposed eo well,
            That still it breathed foorth sweet spirit.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   2. A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also, a
      mark to denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.]
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            Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it.
                                                  --B. Jonson.
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   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.
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   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.
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            There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the
            Almighty giveth them understanding.   --Job xxxii.
                                                  8.
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            As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
            without works is dead also.           --James ii.
                                                  26.
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            Spirit is a substance wherein thinking, knowing,
            doubting, and a power of moving, do subsist.
                                                  --Locke.
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   5. Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it
      has left the body.
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            Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was,
            and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
                                                  --Eccl. xii.
                                                  7.
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            Ye gentle spirits far away,
            With whom we shared the cup of grace. --Keble.
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   6. Any supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a
      specter; a ghost; also, sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an
      elf.
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            Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all
            impressions of spirits and goblins in the dark.
                                                  --Locke.
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   7. Energy, vivacity, ardor, enthusiasm, courage, etc.
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            "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.
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   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.
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            Such spirits as he desired to please, such would I
            choose for my judges.                 --Dryden.
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   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.
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            God has . . . made a spirit of building succeed a
            spirit of pulling down.               --South.
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            A perfect judge will read each work of wit
            With the same spirit that its author writ. --Pope.
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   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.
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   11. Tenuous, volatile, airy, or vapory substance, possessed
       of active qualities.
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             All bodies have spirits . . . within them. --Bacon.
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   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.
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   13. pl. Rum, whisky, brandy, gin, and other distilled liquors
       having much alcohol, in distinction from wine and malt
       liquors.
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   14. (Med.) A solution in alcohol of a volatile principle. Cf.
       {Tincture}. --U. S. Disp.
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   15. (Alchemy) Any one of the four substances, sulphur, sal
       ammoniac, quicksilver, or arsenic (or, according to some,
       orpiment).
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             The four spirits and the bodies seven. --Chaucer.
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   16. (Dyeing) Stannic chloride. See under {Stannic}.
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   Note: Spirit is sometimes joined with other words, forming
         compounds, generally of obvious signification; as,
         spirit-moving, spirit-searching, spirit-stirring, etc.
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   {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} (Zool.), 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}. (Zool.)
       (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 of turpentine}, 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. It is
      commonly used to remove paint from surfaces, or to dissole
      oil-based paint. 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.) ethyl ether; -- often but
      incorrectly called {sulphuric ether}. See {Ether}. [Obs.]
      

   {Spirits of wine}, 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.
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   Syn: Life; ardor; energy; fire; courage; animatioon;
        cheerfulness; vivacity; enterprise.
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