What does "levee" mean?

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

Additional senses

  1. 2.To attend the levee or levees of. He levees all the great. Young.
  2. 3.An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi; sometimes, the steep bank of a river. [U. S. ]
  3. 4.To keep within a channel by means of levees; as, to levee a river. [U. S.]

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