Levy

Levy

Noun / Verb · /ˈlev.i/

Definition

(Noun) an act of levying a tax, fee, or fine; the amount levied; a body of troops raised by conscription; (Verb) to impose or collect a tax, fine, or payment by legal authority; to conscript troops.

Origin

From Old French levée (a raising, a levy), from lever (to raise), from Latin levare (to raise). The same root as lever and levitate. A levy is literally a raising — of money from the public, or of soldiers for an army. Used in English from the 15th century in both the military and fiscal senses.