from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Levee \Lev"ee\ (l[e^]v"[-e]; often l[e^]v*[=e]" in U. S.), n.
[F. lever, fr. lever to raise, se lever to rise. See {Lever},
n.]
1. The act of rising. " The sun's levee." --Gray.
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2. A morning assembly or reception of visitors, -- in
distinction from a {soir['e]e}, or evening assembly; a
{matin['e]e}; hence, also, any general or somewhat
miscellaneous gathering of guests, whether in the daytime
or evening; as, the president's levee.
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Note: In England a ceremonious day reception, when attended
by both ladies and gentlemen, is called a
{drawing-room}.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Drawing-room \Draw"ing-room`\, n. [Abbrev. fr.
withdraw-ing-room.]
1. A room appropriated for the reception of company; a room
to which company withdraws from the dining room.
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2. The company assembled in such a room; also, a reception of
company in it; as, to hold a drawing-room.
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He [Johnson] would amaze a drawing-room by suddenly
ejaculating a clause of the Lord's Prayer.
--Macaulay.
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{Drawing-room car}. See {Palace car}, under {Car}.
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