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 Also called Levant moroccoa superior grade of morocco leather having a large and prominent grain, originally made in the Levant.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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

levant

2

/ lɪˈvænt /

verb

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Levant

3

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Levant

  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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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

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.

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

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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