Levy Meaning
/ˈlɛ.vi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo impose (a tax or fine) to collect monies due, or to confiscate property.
verbTo raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority.
Sentence Examples
The airport improvement levy seems higher than last year.
Gideon Levy says that Israel is not a democracy.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The local government decided to ____ a new tax on sugary drinks.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The government decided to ____ a new tax on luxury goods to help reduce the overall national debt tonight.
Word Origin & History
From Anglo-Norman leve, from Old French levee, from lever (“to raise”), from Latin lēvāre (“to raise, lift”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In August, the company also announced that it would begin to levy fines on other vendors on its platform who over-package their products."
— 2019 November 21, Samanth Subramanian, “How our home delivery habit reshaped the world”, in The Guardian:
"If they do this […] my ransom, then, / Will soon be levied."
— 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
"Augustine […] inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to levy his power, and to war against them."
— 1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):
"Albeit hee saw that the siege was levied"
— 1659, T[itus] Livius [i.e., Livy], “(please specify the book number)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Romane Historie […], London: […] W. Hunt, for George Sawbridge, […], →OCLC:
"The new levying or inhancing of Weares Mills"
— 1619, Michael Dalton, The Countrey Justice:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The local government decided to ____ a new tax on sugary drinks.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The government decided to ____ a new tax on luxury goods to help reduce the overall national debt tonight.