from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Levy \Lev"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Levied} (l[e^]v"[i^]d); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Levying}.]
1. To raise, as a siege. [Obs.] --Holland.
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2. To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army
by enrollment, conscription, etc.
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Augustine . . . inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to
levy his power, and to war against them. --Fuller.
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3. To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority;
as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions.
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If they do this . . . my ransom, then,
Will soon be levied. --Shak.
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4. (Law)
(a) To gather or exact; as, to levy money.
(b) To erect, build, or set up; to make or construct; to
raise or cast up; as, to levy a mill, dike, ditch, a
nuisance, etc. [Obs.] --Cowell. --Blackstone.
(c) To take or seize on execution; to collect by
execution.
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{To levy a fine}, to commence and carry on a suit for
assuring the title to lands or tenements. --Blackstone.
{To levy war}, to make or begin war; to take arms for attack;
to attack.
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