Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Levee

Levee (lev"e; often lev*ē" in U. S.) , noun

[French lever, from lever to raise, se lever to rise. See Lever, n.]

1.
The act of rising.
The sun's levee. — Gray
2.
A morning assembly or reception of visitors, -- in distinction from a soirée, or evening assembly; a matinée; hence, also, any general or somewhat miscellaneous gathering of guests, whether in the daytime or evening; as, the president's levee.

In England a ceremonious day reception, when attended by both ladies and gentlemen, is called a drawing-room.

Levee , transitive verb

To attend the levee or levees of.
He levees all the great. — Young

Levee , noun

[French levée, from lever to raise. See Lever, and compare Levy.]

An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi; sometimes, the steep bank of a river. [United States]

Levee , transitive verb

To keep within a channel by means of levees; as, to levee a river. [United States]