In spite of the uniform (4)
I believe the answer is:
even
I believe this is a double definition.
'in spite of' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'uniform' is the second definition.
(both can mean equal or level)
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for even that I've seen before include "Not easily annoyed" , "Flush" , "night" , "Level, straight or regular" , "Peaceful" .)