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  a superior grade of morocco leather having a large and prominent grain, originally made in the Levant.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

London: printed for J. Debrett, MDCCLXXXVI. 8vo, red levant morocco, gilt back, gilt edges, by Rivière.

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

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

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

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

From Bib-li-op-e-gis-tic (Pertaining to the art of binding books.?Dibdin) to which is appended a glossary of some terms used in the craft by Unknown

MDCCLXXIX. 8vo, four volumes, half red levant morocco, gilt back, gilt top, uncut edges, by Pratt.

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

LXXIV. 4to, red levant morocco, gilt back, side borders, gilt edges, by Rivière.

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