Levant

The Romans called a strong wind blowing from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean a Levant wind (from Latin 'levare', 'to raise' because that was the direction where the sun seemed to rise). Naturally, the west wind was called Ponent, from 'ponere', which means 'to set'.

Le"vant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of lever to raise.] Law

Rising or having risen from rest; -- said of cattle. See Couchant and levant, under Couchant.

© Webster 1913.

Le*vant" (?), n. [It. levante the point where the sum rises, the east, the Levant, fr.levare to raise, levarsi to rise: cf. F. levant. See Lever.]

1.

The countries washed by the eastern part of the Mediterranean and its contiguous waters.

2.

A levanter (the wind so called).

© Webster 1913.

Le"vant (?), a.

Eastern.

Forth rush the levant and the ponent winds. Milton.

© Webster 1913.

Le*vant" (?), v. i. [Cf. Sp. levantar to raise, go from one place to another.]

To run away from one's debts; to decamp.

Thackeray.

© Webster 1913.