▪ I. † levet1 Obs. rare.
[f. leve (leave v.1) + -et1.]
Only pl. Leavings, fragments.
| 1528 Roy Rede me (Arb.) 80 When they have eaten ynowe... Then gadder they vp their levettis. Ibid. 98 The best meate awaye they carve... Then proll the servynge officers..so that their levettis are but thynne. |
▪ II. † levet2 Obs.
Also 7 levett, 7–8 levit(t.
[? ad. It. levata ‘the name of a march vpon a Drumme and Trumpet in time of warre’ (Florio), f. levare to raise.]
A trumpet call or musical strain to rouse soldiers and others in the morning.
| a 1625 Fletcher Doub. Marriage ii. i, Come sirs, a queint Levet. [Trump. a levet.] To waken our brave Generall. 1656 W. Meredith Narr. Passages Irel. in 8th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. 600/1 The enemy..were some distance from vs sounding levitts for joy of there supposed victory. a 1687 Cotton Winter xxxii. Poems (1689) 649 The æolian Trumpetters By their Hoarse Levets, do declare That the bold General Rides there. 1705 S. Sewall Diary 1 Jan. (1879) II. 121 Col. Hobbey's Negro..sends in..to have leave to give me a Levit and wish me a merry new year. |