Levy /(-y̆)/

Lev·y

Levy

n.

pl. Levies ((-ĭz))

  1. A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish real of one eighth of a dollar (or 12<frac:1_2/ cents), valued at eleven pence when the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d.

Levy

n.
  1. The act of levying or collecting by authority; as, the levy of troops, taxes, etc.
    A levy of all the men left under sixty.
    — Thirlwall.
  2. That which is levied, as an army, force, tribute, etc.
  3. The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting by execution. (Law)

Phrases & Compounds
Levy in mass
a requisition of all able-bodied men for military service.

Levy

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Levied; p. pr. & vb. n. Levying

  1. To raise, as a siege. [Obs.]
  2. To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army by enrollment, conscription, etc.
    Augustine . . . inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to levy his power, and to war against them.
  3. To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions.
    If they do this . . . my ransom, then, Will soon be levied.
  4. To gather or exact; as, to levy money. (Law) [Obs.]

Phrases & Compounds
To levy a fine
to commence and carry on a suit for assuring the title to lands or tenements.
To levy war
to make or begin war; to take arms for attack; to attack.

Levy

v. i.
  1. To seize property, real or personal, or subject it to the operation of an execution; to make a levy; as, to levy on property; the usual mode of levying, in England, is by seizing the goods.

Phrases & Compounds
To levy on goods and chattels
to take into custody or seize specific property in satisfaction of a writ.