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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Level(l, Lavel(l, v. Also: leval, levill, lawell, -ill. [e.m.E. and late ME. levell (c 1440), leavell (1530), f. Level(ln.]

1. tr. To make level or even. c1400 Troy-bk. I. 290.
[The street] One baith the sydys so sembly maid, Levalyt in lyk 1558–9 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 287.
To twa masonis that lawill the loche, iiij s. 1611 Macgibbon & Ross V. 7.
Ane hundrethe merkis at sydewall heicht quhen the walls are lawellit 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 166.
Thomas Robertsone … did offerre … to levill the said way and calsay the same 1675 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 409.
[Robert Buinȝie, mason] to putt and lavell the yaird … as it was beffor the altering off the merch stones

2. To inspect the levelness of (as a builder does, see Levell n. 1); fig. to weigh up, consider closely; also to level one's eye to, id.(1) 1603 James VI in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. III. 79.
Sa mon ye levell everie mannis opinions or advyces unto you as ye finde thaime agree or discorde with the reulis thaire sett doun a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 26.
If we would understand what is intended by the parable of the Prodigal, we would first consider the scope … and then lavel the exposition as serving to illustrate that scope(2) 1651 Dickson Matthew 3.
The mason-like looks of his conscience, levelling its eye to each action to see if it be conform to the rule

3. a. intr. To aim at, as with a weapon; fig., to direct one's purposes at or to. b. tr. To aim or direct (something) at or to (someone, some end).a. 1653 Binning Wks. 492.
The people of God … ought, especially in raising forces for self-preservation, to level at religion and direct the choice of instruments to that mark a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 333.
Believers … would … bring home what they say to some edifying use … and would not insist on generals, much lesse evanish in empty speculations, but would lavel at edification 1669 Jus Populi 94.
In all these resolutions and constitutions they levelled at nothing, but their owne good and saiftyb. a1658 Durham Revelation 534.
The Serpent is said to cast this floud out of his mouth … . It is said to be casten after the woman, which doth not only import his lavelling it at her Id. Clavis Cantici 105.
A conversation some way lavelled to the adorning of the Gospel 1669 Jus Populi 157.
Which is to level all to this maine end, the safety of the people