levee

Etymology 1

From French levée, from lever (“to raise, rise”).

noun

1. An elevated geographical feature.
2. An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi.
3. (US) The steep bank of a river.
4. (US) The border of an irrigated field.
5. (US) A pier or other landing place on a river.

verb

1. (US, transitive) To keep within a channel by means of levees.
   to levee a river

Etymology 2

From French levé variant of the noun lever (“the act of getting up in the morning”).

noun

1. (obsolete) The act of rising; getting up, especially in the morning after rest.
   c. 1763, Thomas Gray, letter to Mr. Nichols And look before you were up in the morning, though you were a punctual courtier at the sun's levee
   The sturdy hind now attends the levee of his fellow-labourer the ox […] 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society, published 1973, page 414
2. A reception of visitors held after getting up.
3. A formal reception, especially one given by royalty or other leaders.
   At the King's levee on the morning of the 13th, Philippe was first ignored; then asked by His Majesty (rudely) what he wanted; then told, ‘Get back where you came from.’ 1992, Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety, published 1993, page 195

verb

1. (transitive) To attend the levee or levees of.