levee1 ['l?vi, 'l?ve?]
¦ noun N. Amer. a formal reception of visitors or guests.
?historical an afternoon assembly for men held by the British monarch or their representative.
Origin
C17 (denoting a reception of visitors on rising from bed): from Fr. leve, var. of lever 'rising', from the verb lever.
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levee2 ['l?vi, l?'vi:]
¦ noun
1. an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river.
a ridge of sediment deposited naturally alongside a river.
2. N. Amer. a landing place; a quay.
Origin
C18 (orig. US): from Fr. levee, feminine past participle of lever 'to lift'.