levee
UK: ˈlɛvi | US: ˈlɛvi
n. 1. An embankment built to prevent a river from overflowing.
n. 2. A formal reception held by a sovereign or high-ranking official.
n. 3. (Historical) A morning assembly held by a monarch or noble.
The word "levee" originates from the French word levée, meaning "a raising" or "an embankment," derived from the verb lever ("to raise"). The term was adopted into English in the 17th century, initially referring to the act of raising a riverbank to prevent flooding. Later, it also came to denote a formal reception, as such events were traditionally held in the morning upon the monarch's "rising" (lever in French). The dual meanings reflect the word's logical progression from physical elevation to ceremonial gatherings.
The town built a sturdy levee to protect against seasonal floods.
The king hosted a grand levee for visiting diplomats.
After the hurricane, engineers inspected the damaged levee.
The ambassador attended the morning levee at the palace.
Historical records describe lavish levees held by Louis XIV.