Levy (-&ybreve_;), n.; pl. Levies (-&ibreve_;z). [A contr. of elevenpence or elevenpenny bit.] A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish real of one eighth of a dollar (or 121/2 cents), valued at eleven pence when the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d.
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Levy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Levied (l&ebreve_;v&ibreve_;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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