levee
noun
- ridge or wall to hold back water
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈlɛvi/ / /ˈlɛveɪ/ / /ləˈvi/
noun
Etymology: From French levé variant of the noun lever (“the act of getting up in the morning”).
- The act of rising; getting up, especially in the morning after rest.
“c. 1763, Thomas Gray, letter to Mr. Nichols And look before you were up in the morning, though you were a punctual courtier at the sun's levee”
“The sturdy hind now attends the levee of his fellow-labourer the ox […]”
- A reception of visitors held after getting up.
- A formal reception, especially one given by royalty or other leaders.
“I must take my leave, for the Cardinal holds a levee to-day, and let those fail in attendance who want nothing.”
“At the King's levee on the morning of the 13th, Philippe was first ignored; then asked by His Majesty (rudely) what he wanted; then told, ‘Get back where you came from.’”
verb
Etymology: From French levé variant of the noun lever (“the act of getting up in the morning”).
- To attend the levee or levees of.
“He levees all the great.”