levant

name

1. A cultural region of West Asia, consisting of the countries bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, namely Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus (and sometimes, especially in a historical context, also including Turkey and Egypt, then part of the Ottoman Empire).

   “I see by the newspapers that the Mediterranean Fleet is leaving Malta for the Levant.”

noun

1. An easterly wind, generally in the western Mediterranean Sea.
2. A type of leather.

   “[I]t was bound by G. Levitsky […] in turquoise Levant, stamped back and front with the Crosby crest in gold.”

3. A disappearing or absconding after losing a bet.

verb

1. To abscond or run away, especially to avoid paying money or debts.

   “In a mighty little time their husbands played them false and, taking whatever they could lay hands upon, levanted and left them in the lurch.”

   “He died of a Tuesday. Got the run. Levanted with the cash of a few ads.”

adj

1. (not-comparable)Rising, of an animal.

   “Crest, a stag regardant levant argent.”

   “[...] crest a raven levant sable issant out of a[…]”

   “[...] neck grene acornes proper wounded on his left sholder and at her feet there is a fawcon issant levant argent out of a crowne or.”

2. (not-comparable)Rising or having risen from rest; said of cattle.
3. (not-comparable, poetic)Eastern.

   “Forth rush the levant and the ponent winds.”