levee
noun
[ ˈlɛvi ]
• an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river.
Origin:
early 18th century (originally US): from French levée, feminine past participle of lever ‘to lift’.
levee
noun
• a formal reception of visitors or guests.
• "the great stop on the Washington social circuit was the diplomat's levee"
Origin:
late 17th century (denoting a reception of visitors after rising from bed) : from French levé, variant of lever ‘rising’, from the verb lever .
