levant

¹

[li-vant]

verb (used without object)

British Slang.

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

Levant

²

[li-vant]

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 a superior grade of morocco leather having a large and prominent grain, originally made in the Levant.

levant

¹

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

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

levant

²

/ lɪˈvænt /

verb

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

Levant

³

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

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

Levant

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

Other Word Forms

• levanter noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Levant¹

C19: shortened from Levant morocco (type of leather)

Origin of Levant²

C18: perhaps from Spanish levantar ( el campo ) to break (camp)

Origin of Levant³

C15: from Old French, from the present participle of lever to raise (referring to the rising of the sun in the east), from Latin levāre

Example Sentences

Anyhow, if I'm booked to cash in, I don't mind giving you a show to levant.

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

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I was only too glad to take it and a couple more, for which I paid him at once; and next evening, at dinner, I heard that he had levanted.

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It is only appropriate for crushed levant, being dependent for its beauty on the polished surface of the leather.

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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.

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