/ˈlɛvi/, /ˈlɛveɪ/, /ˈlɛvi/
OriginFrom French levée, from lever (“to raise, rise”).
- An elevated ridge of deposited sediment on the banks of a river, formed by the river's overflow at times of high discharge.
- An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi.
- USThe steep bank of a river.
“The purchaser of a riparious estate under the words "front to the levee," does not acquire the alluvion or batture, when there is land susceptible of separate ownership beyond the levee.”
- USThe border of an irrigated field.
- USA pier or other landing place on a river.
- obsoleteThe act of rising; getting up, especially in the morning after rest.
“c. 1763, Thomas Gray, letter to Mr. Nichols
And look before you were up in the morning, though you were a punctual courtier at the sun's levee”
“The sturdy hind now attends the levee of his fellow-labourer the ox […]”
- A reception of visitors held after getting up.
- A formal reception, especially one given by royalty or other leaders.
“I must take my leave, for the Cardinal holds a levee to-day, and let those fail in attendance who want nothing.”
“At the King's levee on the morning of the 13th, Philippe was first ignored; then asked by His Majesty (rudely) what he wanted; then told, ‘Get back where you came from.’”
- US, transitiveTo keep within a channel by means of levees.
- transitiveTo attend the levee or levees of.
“He levees all the great.”
Formslevees(plural) · levée(alternative, uncommon) · levees(present, singular, third-person) · leveeing(participle, present) · leveed(participle, past) · leveed(past)