Chapter 898

Levite <Xpage=846>

Le"vite (?) , n. [L. Levites , Gr. <?/ fr. Heb. Levi , one of the sons of Jacob.] 1. (Bib. Hist.) One of the tribe or family of Levi; a descendant of Levi; esp., one subordinate to the priests (who were of the same tribe) and employed in various duties connected with the tabernacle first, and afterward the temple, such as the care of the building, bringing of wood and other necessaries for the sacrifices, the music of the services, etc.

2. A priest; so called in contempt or ridicule.

<page="847"> Page 847

Levitical <Xpage=847>

Le*vit"ic*al (?) , a. [L. Leviticus , Gr. <?/.] 1. Of or pertaining to a Levite or the Levites.

2. Priestly. " Levitical questions."

Milton.

3. Of or pertaining to, or designating, the law contained in the book of Leviticus.

Ayliffe.

Levitical degrees , degrees of relationship named in Leviticus, within which marriage is forbidden.

Levitically <Xpage=847>

Le*vit"ic*al*ly , adv. After the manner of the Levites; in accordance with the levitical law.

Leviticus <Xpage=847>

Le*vit"i*cus (?) , n. [See Levitical .] The third canonical book of the Old Testament, containing the laws and regulations relating to the priests and Levites among the Hebrews, or the body of the ceremonial law.

Levity <Xpage=847>

Lev"i*ty (?) , n. [L. levitas , fr. levis light in weight; akin to levare to raise. See Lever , n. ] 1. The quality of weighing less than something else of equal bulk; relative lightness, especially as shown by rising through, or floating upon, a contiguous substance; buoyancy; -- opposed to gravity .

He gave the form of levity to that which ascended; to that which descended, the form of gravity. Sir. W. Raleigh.

This bubble by reason of its comparative levity to the fluidity that incloses it, would ascend to the top. Bentley.

2. Lack of gravity and earnestness in deportment or character; trifling gayety; frivolity; sportiveness; vanity. " A spirit of levity and libertinism."

Atterbury.

He never employed his omnipotence out of levity . Calamy.

3. Lack of steadiness or constancy; disposition to change; fickleness; volatility.

The levity that is fatigued and disgusted with everything of which it is in possession. Burke.

Syn. -- Inconstancy; thoughtlessness; unsteadiness; inconsideration; volatility; flightiness. -- Levity , Volatility , Flightiness . All these words relate to outward conduct. Levity springs from a lightness of mind which produces a disregard of the proprieties of time and place. Volatility is a degree of levity which causes the thoughts to fly from one object to another, without resting on any for a moment. Flightiness is volatility carried to an extreme which often betrays its subject into gross impropriety or weakness. Levity of deportment, of conduct, of remark; volatility of temper, of spirits; flightiness of mind or disposition.

Levo- <Xpage=847>

Le"vo- (?) . A prefix from L. laevus , meaning: (a) Pertaining to, or toward, the left ; as, levo rotatory . (b) (Chem. & Opt.) Turning the plane of polarized light to the left ; as, levo tartaric acid; levo racemic acid; levo gyratory crystals, etc. [Written also l\'91vo- .]

Levogyrate <Xpage=847>

Le`vo*gy"rate (?) , a. [ Levo- + gyrate .] (Chem. & Physics) Turning or twisting the plane of polarization towards the left, as levulose, levotartaric acid, etc. [Written also l\'91vogyrate .]

Levorotatory <Xpage=847>

Le`vo*ro"ta*to*ry (?) , a. [ Levo- + rotatory .] (Chem. & Physics) Turning or rotating the plane of polarization towards the left; levogyrate, as levulose, left handed quartz crystals, etc. [Written also l\'91vorotatory .]

Levulin <Xpage=847>

Lev"u*lin (?) , n. (Chem.) A substance resembling dextrin, obtained from the bulbs of the dahlia, the artichoke, and other sources, as a colorless, spongy, amorphous material. It is so called because by decomposition it yields levulose . [Written also l\'91vulin .]

Levulinic <Xpage=847>

Lev`u*lin"ic (?) , a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or denoting, an acid (called also acetyl-propionic acid ), C5H8O3 , obtained by the action of dilute acids on various sugars (as levulose). [Written also l\'91vulinic .]

Levulosan <Xpage=847>

Lev`u*lo"san (?) , n. (Chem.) An unfermentable carbohydrate obtained by gently heating levulose.

Levulose <Xpage=847>

Lev"u*lose` (?) , n. [See Levo- .] (Chem.) A sirupy variety of sugar, rarely obtained crystallized, occurring widely in honey, ripe fruits, etc., and hence called also fruit sugar . It is called levulose , because it rotates the plane of polarization to the left. [Written also l\'91vulose .] <-- also called fructose: C6H12O6 >

&hand; It is obtained, together with an equal quantity of dextrose, by the inversion of ordinary cane or beet sugar, and hence, as being an ingredient of invert sugar , is often so called. It is fermentable, nearly as sweet as cane sugar, and is metameric with dextrose. Cf. Dextrose .

Levy <Xpage=847>

Lev"y (?) , n. ; pl. Levies (#) . [A contr. of elevenpence or elevenpenny bit .] A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish real of one eight of a dollar (or 12<frac12/ cents), valued at eleven pence when the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d.

Levy <Xpage=847>

Lev"y , n. [F. lev\'82e , fr. lever to raise. See Lever , and cf. Lever .] 1. The act of levying or collecting by authority; as, the levy of troops, taxes, etc.

A levy of all the men left under sixty. Thirlwall.

2. That which is levied, as an army, force, tribute, etc. " The Irish levies ."

Macaulay.

3. (Law) The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting by execution.

Levy in mass [F. lev\'82e en masse ] , a requisition of all able-bodied men for military service.

Levy <Xpage=847>

Lev"y , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Levied (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Levying .] 1. To raise, as a siege. [Obs.] Holland .

2. To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army by enrollment, conscription. etc.

Augustine . . . inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to levy his power, and to war against them. Fuller.

3. To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions .

If they do this . . . my ransom, then, Will soon be levied . Shak.

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.

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.

Levy <Xpage=847>

Lev"y , v. i. To seize property, real or personal, or subject it to the operation of an execution; to make a levy; as, to levy on property; the usual mode of levying , in England, is by seizing the goods.

To levy on goods and chattels , to take into custody or seize specific property in satisfaction of a writ.

Levyne, Levynite <Xpage=847>

Lev"yne (?) , Lev"yn*ite (?) , n. [From Mr. Levy , an English mineralogist.] (Min.) A whitish, reddish, or yellowish, transparent or translucent mineral, allied to chabazite.

Lew <Xpage=847>

Lew (?) , a. [Cf. lee a calm or sheltered place, luke warm.] Lukewarm; tepid. [Obs.]

Wyclif.

Lewd <Xpage=847>

Lewd (?) , a. [ Compar. Lewder (?) ; superl. Lewdest .] [ OE . lewed , lewd , lay, ignorant, vile, AS. l<?/wed laical, belonging to the laity.] 1. Not clerical; laic; laical; hence, unlearned; simple. [Obs.]

For if priest be foul, on whom we trust, No wonder is a lewed man to rust. Chaucer.

So these great clerks their little wisdom show To mock the lewd , as learn'd in this as they. Sit. J. Davies.

2. Belonging to the lower classes, or the rabble; idle and lawless; bad; vicious. [Archaic]

Chaucer.

But the Jews, which believed not, . . . took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, . . . and assaulted the house of Jason. Acts xvii. 5.

Too lewd to work, and ready for any kind of mischief. Southey .

3. Given to the promiscuous indulgence of lust; dissolute; lustful; libidinous.

Dryden.

4. Suiting, or proceeding from, lustfulness; involving unlawful sexual desire; as, lewd thoughts, conduct, or language .

Syn. -- Lustful; libidinous; licentious; profligate; dissolute; sensual; unchaste; impure; lascivious; lecherous; rakish; debauched.

-- Lewd"ly , adv. -- Lewd"ness , n.

Lewdster <Xpage=847>

Lewd"ster (?) , n. A lewd person. [Obs.]

Shak.

Lewis, Lewisson <Xpage=847>

Lew"is (?) , Lew"is*son (?) , n. 1. An iron dovetailed tenon, made in sections, which can be fitted into a dovetail mortise; -- used in hoisting large stones, etc.

2. A kind of shears used in cropping woolen cloth.

Lewis hole , a hole wider at the bottom than at the mouth, into which a lewis is fitted.

De Foe.

<-- Lewis acid (Chem) A compound without dissociable hydrogen which acts as an acid (bonding with Lewis bases) in chemical reaction. -->

Lex <Xpage=847>

Lex (?) , n. ; pl. Leges (#) . [L. See Legal .] Law; as, lex talionis , the law of retaliation; lex terr\'91 , the law of the land; lex fori , the law of the forum or court; lex loci , the law of the place; lex mercatoria , the law or custom of merchants.

Lexical <Xpage=847>

Lex"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a lexicon, to lexicography, or words; according or conforming to a lexicon. -- Lex"ic*al*ly , adv.

Lexicographer <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*cog"ra*pher (?) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/; dictionary + <?/ to write: cf. F. lexicographe . See Lexicon .] The author or compiler of a lexicon or dictionary.

Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach; and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few. Johnson.

Lexicographic, Lexicographical <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*co*graph"ic (?) , Lex`i*co*graph"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. lexicographi que.] Of or pertaining to, or according to, lexicography. -- Lex`i*co*graph"ic*al*ly , adv.

Lexicographist <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*cog"ra*phist (?) , n. A lexicographer. [R.]

Southey.

Lexicography <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*cog"ra*phy (?) , n. [Cf. F. lexicographie .] The art, process, or occupation of making a lexicon or dictionary; the principles which are applied in making dictionaries.

Lexicologist <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*col"o*gist (?) , n. One versed in lexicology.

Lexicology <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*col"o*gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ lexicon + -logy : cf. F. lexicologie .] The science of the derivation and signification of words; that branch of learning which treats of the signification and application of words.

Lexicon <Xpage=847>

Lex"i*con (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ (sc.<?/), neut. of <?/ of or belonging to words, fr. <?/ a speaking, speech, a way of speaking, a single word or phrase, fr. <?/ to say, to speak. See Legend .] A vocabulary, or book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language or of a considerable number of them, with the definition of each; a dictionary; especially, a dictionary of the Greek, Hebrew, or Latin language. <-- also, a dictionary for use in computational linguistics -->

Lexiconist <Xpage=847>

Lex"i*con*ist , n. A writer of a lexicon. [R.]

Lexigraphic <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*graph"ic (?) , a. [Cf. F. lexigraphique .] Of or pertaining to lexigraphy.

Lexigraphy <Xpage=847>

Lex*ig"ra*phy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ word + -graphy : cf. F. lexigraphie .] The art or practice of defining words; definition of words.

Lexiphanic <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*phan"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ a phrase monger; <?/ speech + <?/ to show.] Using, or interlarded with, pretentious words; bombastic; as, a lexiphanic writer or speaker; lexiphanic writing.

Lexiphanicism <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*phan"i*cism (?) , n. The use of pretentious words, language, or style.

Lexipharmic <Xpage=847>

Lex`i*phar"mic (?) , a. See Alexipharmic .

Ley <Xpage=847>

Ley (?) , v. i. , & i . To lay; to wager. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Ley <Xpage=847>

Ley , n. [OF.] Law.

Abbott.

Ley <Xpage=847>

Ley (?) , n. [Obs.] See Lye .

Ley <Xpage=847>

Ley (?) , n. Grass or meadow land; a lea.

Ley <Xpage=847>

Ley , a. Fallow; unseeded. [Obs.]

Beau. & Fl.

Leyden jar, Leyden phial <Xpage=847>

Ley"den jar" (?) , Ley"den phi"al (?) , (Elec.) A glass jar or bottle used to accumulate electricity. It is coated with tin foil, within and without, nearly to its top, and is surmounted by a brass knob which communicates with the inner coating, for the purpose of charging it with electricity. It is so named from having been invented in Leyden , Holland.

Leyser <Xpage=847>

Ley"ser (?) , n. Leisure. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leze majesty <Xpage=847>

Leze` maj"es*ty (?) . [F. lese-majest\'82 , fr. L. laesus , fem. laesa , injured (see Lesion ) + majestas majesty; that is, crimen laesae majestatis .] [Written also lese majesty .] (Law) Any crime committed against the sovereign power. <-- now usually lese or l\'8ase . also (2) any affront to dignity -->

Lherzolite <Xpage=847>

Lher"zo*lite (?) , n. [From Lherz , a place in the Pyrenees + -lite .] (Min.) An igneous rock consisting largely of chrysolite, with pyroxene and picotite (a variety of spinel containing chromium).

Li <Xpage=847>

Li (?) , n. 1. Chinese measure of distance, being a little more that one third of a mile.

2. A Chinese copper coin; a cash. See Cash .

Liability <Xpage=847>

Li`a*bil"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Liabilities (<?/) .

1. The state of being liable; as, the liability of an insurer; liability to accidents; liability to the law.

2. That which one is under obligation to pay, or for which one is liable. Specifically, in the pl. , the sum of one's pecuniary obligations; -- opposed to assets .

Limited liability . See Limited company , under Limited .

Liable <Xpage=847>

Li"a*ble (?) , a. [From F. lier to bind, L. ligare . Cf. Ally , v. t. , Ligature .] 1. Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable; as, the surety is liable for the debt of his principal .

2. Exposed to a certain contingency or casualty, more or less probable; -- with to and an infinitive or noun; as, liable to slip; liable to accident.

Syn. -- Accountable; responsible; answerable; bound; subject; obnoxious; exposed. -- Liable , Subject . Liable refers to a future possible or probable happening which may not actually occur; as, horses are liable to slip; even the sagacious are liable to make mistakes. Subject refers to any actual state or condition belonging to the nature or circumstances of the person or thing spoken of, or to that which often befalls one. One whose father was subject to attacks of the gout is himself liable to have that disease. Men are constantly subject to the law, but liable to suffer by its infraction.

Proudly secure, yet liable to fall. Milton.

All human things are subject to decay. Dryden.

Liableness <Xpage=847>

Li"a*ble*ness , n. Quality of being liable; liability.

Liage <Xpage=847>

Li"age (?) , n. [Cf. OF. liage a bond. See Liable .] Union by league; alliance. [Obs.]

Lialson <Xpage=847>

Li`al`son" (?) , n. [F., fr. L. ligatio , fr. ligare to bind. See Ligature , and cf. Ligation .] A union, or bond of union; an intimacy; especially, an illicit intimacy between a man and a woman.

Liane, Liana <Xpage=847>

Li*ane" (?) , Li*a"na (?) , n. [F. liane ; prob. akin to lien a band, fr. L. ligamen , fr. ligare to bind. Cf. Lien , n. ] (Bot.) A luxuriant woody plant, climbing high trees and having ropelike stems. The grapevine often has the habit of a liane. Lianes are abundant in the forests of the Amazon region.

Liar <Xpage=847>

Li"ar (?) , n. [OE. liere . See Lie to falsify.] A person who knowingly utters falsehood; one who lies.

Liard <Xpage=847>

Li"ard (?) , a. [OF. liart , LL. liardus gray, dappie.] Gray. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

&hand; Used by Chaucer as an epithet of a gray or dapple gray horse. Also used as a name for such a horse.

Liard <Xpage=847>

Liard (?) , n. [F.] A French copper coin of one fourth the value of a sou.

Lias <Xpage=847>

Li"as (?) , n. [Cf. F. lias , fr. liais sort of limestone, OF. also liois ; perh. of Celtic origin, cf. Armor. liach , leach , a stone, Gael. leac , W. llech . Cf. Cromlech .] (Geol.) The lowest of the three divisions of the Jurassic period; a name given in England and Europe to a series of marine limestones underlying the O\'94lite. See the Chart of Geology .

Liassic <Xpage=847>

Li*as"sic (?) , a. (Geol.) Of the age of the Lias; pertaining to the Lias Formation. -- n. Same as Lias .

Lib <Xpage=847>

Lib (?) , v. i. [Cf. Glib to geld.] To castrate. [Obs.]

Libament <Xpage=847>

Lib"a*ment (?) , n. [L. libamentum .] Libation. [Obs.]

Holland.

Libant <Xpage=847>

Li"bant (?) , a. [L. libans , p. pr. of libare to taste, touch.] Sipping; touching lightly. [R.]

Landor.