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spirit level

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noun Surveying.
  1. a device for determining true horizontal or vertical directions by the centering of a bubble in a slightly curved glass tube or tubes filled with alcohol or ether.
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Origin of spirit level

First recorded in 1760–70
Also called level.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spirit level

Historical Examples

  • Another term for spirit-level, used for astronomical instruments.

    The Sailor's Word-Book

    William Henry Smyth

  • A few trials with a spirit-level will cure any man of his conceit on this subject.

    Farm drainage

    Henry Flagg French

  • There is a sort of spirit-level in the ear, giving us our sense of balance.

  • The line should, however, be set true as indicated by a spirit-level.

  • Then carefully level the surface by means of a spirit-level.

British Dictionary definitions for spirit level

spirit level

noun
  1. a device for setting horizontal surfaces, consisting of an accurate block of material in which a sealed slightly curved tube partially filled with liquid is set so that the air bubble rests between two marks on the tube when the block is horizontal
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012