Levy

¹ American  

[lee-vee, lev-ee, lee-vee, -vahy] / ˈli vi, ˈlɛv i, ˈli vi, -vaɪ /

noun

1. Uriah Phillips, 1792–1862, U.S. naval commander.

2. a male given name.

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levy ² American  

[lev-ee] / ˈlɛv i /

noun

plural

levies

1. an imposing or collecting, as of a tax, by authority or force.

2. the amount owed or collected.

3. the conscription of troops.

4. the troops conscripted.

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verb (used with object)

levied, levying

1. to impose (a tax).

   to levy a duty on imports.

2. to conscript (troops).

   Synonyms:

   enlist, draft

3. to start or wage (war).

verb (used without object)

levied, levying

1. to seize or attach property by judicial order.

levy British  

/ ˈlɛvɪ /

verb

1. to impose and collect (a tax, tariff, fine, etc)

2. to conscript troops for service

3. to seize or attach (property) in accordance with the judgment of a court

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noun

1. 1. the act of imposing and collecting a tax, tariff, etc

   2. the money so raised

2. 1. the conscription of troops for service

   2. a person conscripted in this way

Other Word Forms

• levier noun
• relevy verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of levy

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English leve(e), from Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of lever “to raise,” from Latin levāre, akin to levis “light”; levee ²

Example Sentences

Further levies were imposed on Ecuador, Vietnam and Indonesia, which are other major U.S. suppliers.

From Los Angeles Times

The bloc faces a 15% levy on most goods exported to the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s levied annually by individual cantons on all residents, at rates reaching up to about 1% of net worth, after deductions and exclusions for certain categories of assets.

From Los Angeles Times

Treasury also levied sanctions on Chen, other Prince Group executives and dozens of companies it said were tied to the conglomerate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although the president ended up striking deals that moderated levies from the threatened level of 40 percent or more, initial headlines led to a noticeable spring surge in sales.

From Barron's

Related Words

• burden
• duty
• excise
• fee
• tariff