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• levant
  levant

  verb (used without object)

  to leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts.
• Levant
  Levant

  noun

  the lands bordering the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

levant

¹ American  

[li-vant] / lɪˈvænt /

verb (used without object)

British Slang.

1. to leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts.

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Levant ² American  

[li-vant] / lɪˈvænt /

noun

1. the lands bordering the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Also called Levant morocco.  a superior grade of morocco leather having a large and prominent grain, originally made in the Levant.

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levant ¹ British  

/ lɪˈvænt /

verb

1. (intr) to bolt or abscond, esp to avoid paying debts

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levant ² British  

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

1. a type of leather made from the skins of goats, sheep, or seals, having a pattern of irregular creases

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Levant ³ British  

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

1. a former name for the area of the E Mediterranean now occupied by Lebanon, Syria, and Israel

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Levant Cultural  

1. Name for the nations on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea: Cyprus, Egypt (see also Egypt), Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.

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Other Word Forms

• levanter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of levant¹

1750–60; perhaps < Spanish levantar to lift (Compare levantar el campo to break camp, leave), frequentative of levar < Latin levāre

Origin of Levant²

1490–1500; earlier levaunt < Middle French levant, noun use (with reference to rising sun) of present participle of lever to raise ( se lever to rise). See lever

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

levant Levant

Crown 8vo, two volumes, half green levant morocco, gilt back, gilt top, uncut edges, by Allo.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

M DCC LXVIII. 8vo, blue levant morocco, gilt back, gilt top, uncut edges, by Chambolle-Duru.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

When the skin has been subjected to pressure until the surface is smooth it is known as "crushed levant."

From Library Bookbinding by Arthur Low Bailey

According to a common rule the only cattle allowed to use the village pasture was that which was constantly kept in the village, levant e couchant en le maner.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff

At bed or board, couchant or levant, we must pay.

From Sketches of Reforms and Reformers, of Great Britain and Ireland by Henry B. Stanton

“Timed to one of baseball’s most storied rivalries, the collection brings KAWS’ distinctive visual language to the diamond,” said Aaron Levant, chief executive of Complex.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

“This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue,” Levant said in his opening testimony.

From Barron's ● May 20, 2026

Ronald Levant, author of “The Problem with Men: Insights on Overcoming a Traumatic Childhood from a World-Renowned Psychologist,” has found men’s groups especially useful in engaging men who foot-drag their way to therapy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

Historical accounts describe widespread crop failures and famine during this period in Spain, southern France, northern and central Italy, Egypt, and the Levant.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2025

At the bottom of the stairs, in an anteroom, he found Levant slowly paging through the Saturday Evening Post beside a kerosene floor heater.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson