Etymograph

English

level best

From level (“well balanced; even, steady”) + best.

A compound of level ‘well balanced’ + best

Latin lībra ‘a balance, a level’

Latin libella ‘a balance, a level’

Old French livel

Middle English level

English level

Proto-Indo-European *bʰed- ‘good’

…

Proto-Germanic *batistaz ‘best’

Proto-West Germanic *batist

Old English bezt ‘best’

Middle English best ‘best’

English best

Today it means

noun The very best that one can do.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / level best