Levitical - Libel

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Levitical (l�vĭtĭk�l), a. [L. Leviticus, Gr. Leyitikos.] 1. Of or pertaining to a Levite or the Levites.
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2. Priestly. “ Levitical questions.” Milton.
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3. Of or pertaining to, or designating, the law contained in the book of Leviticus. Ayliffe.
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Coloq. Levitical degrees , degrees of relationship named in Leviticus, within which marriage is forbidden.
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Levitically, adv. After the manner of the Levites; in accordance with the levitical law.
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Leviticus (-ĭkŭs), n. [See .] The third canonical book of the Old Testament, containing the laws and regulations relating to the priests and Levites among the Hebrews, or the body of the ceremonial law.
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Levity (lĕvĭt�), n. [L. levitas, fr. levis light in weight; akin to levare to raise. See , n.] 1. The quality of weighing less than something else of equal bulk; relative lightness, especially as shown by rising through, or floating upon, a contiguous substance; buoyancy; -- opposed to gravity.
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He gave the form of levity to that which ascended; to that which descended, the form of gravity. Sir. W. Raleigh.
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This bubble by reason of its comparative levity to the fluidity that incloses it, would ascend to the top. Bentley.
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2. Lack of gravity and earnestness in deportment or character; trifling gayety; frivolity; sportiveness; vanity. “ A spirit of levity and libertinism.” Atterbury.
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He never employed his omnipotence out of levity. Calamy.
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3. Lack of steadiness or constancy; disposition to change; fickleness; volatility.
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The levity that is fatigued and disgusted with everything of which it is in possession. Burke.

Syn. -- Inconstancy; thoughtlessness; unsteadiness; inconsideration; volatility; flightiness. -- , , . All these words relate to outward conduct. Levity springs from a lightness of mind which produces a disregard of the proprieties of time and place.Volatility is a degree of levity which causes the thoughts to fly from one object to another, without resting on any for a moment. Flightiness is volatility carried to an extreme which often betrays its subject into gross impropriety or weakness. Levity of deportment, of conduct, of remark; volatility of temper, of spirits; flightiness of mind or disposition.
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Levo- (lēv�-) pref. A prefix from L. laevus, meaning: (a) Pertaining to, or toward, the left; as, levorotatory. (b) (Chem. & Opt.) Turning the plane of polarized light to the left; as, levotartaric acid; levoracemic acid; levogyratory crystals, etc. [Written also lævo-.]
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levodopa (lēv�dōpȧ), a. [Levo- + DOPA, dihydroxyphenylalanine.] (Chem. & Biochem.) A substance used as a therapy for ; the L form of Dopa; L-dihydroxyphenylalanine; L-hydroxytyrosine (C9H11NO4); also called L-dopa. In the body it is converted by the enzyme dopa-decarboxylase into dopamine, the form in which it is active in the brain, affecting neural impulse transmission.
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Levogyrate (-jīr�t), a. [Levo- + gyrate.] (Chem., Physics, Biochem.) Turning or twisting the plane of polarization of light towards the left, as levulose, levotartaric acid, etc.; levorotatory. [Written also lævogyrate.]
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levorotary (-rōtȧr�), a. [Levo- + rotary.] (Chem. & Physics) Same as .
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Levorotation (?), n. [Written also lævorotation.] [Levo- + rotation.] (Physics & Chem.) Rotation in the direction of an outgoing right-handed screw; counter-clockwise rotation; -- applied chiefly to the turning of the plane of polarization of light.
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Levorotatory (-rōtȧt�r�), a. [Levo- + rotatory.] (Chem. & Physics) Turning or rotating the plane of polarization of light towards the left; -- applied to crystals and compounds exhibiting optical activity, such as levulose, left-handed quartz crystals, etc. Opposite of dextrorotatory. [Written also lævorotatory.]
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Levulin (lĕv�lĭn), n. (Chem.) A substance resembling dextrin, obtained from the bulbs of the dahlia, the artichoke, and other sources, as a colorless, spongy, amorphous material. It is so called because by decomposition it yields levulose. [Written also lævulin.]
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Levulinic (-lĭnĭk), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or denoting, an acid (called also acetyl-propionic acid), C5H8O3, obtained by the action of dilute acids on various sugars (as levulose). [Written also lævulinic.]
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Levulosan (-lōs�n), n. (Chem.) An unfermentable carbohydrate obtained by gently heating levulose.
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Levulose (lĕv�lōs), n. [See .] (Chem.) A sirupy variety of sugar, rarely obtained crystallized, occurring widely in honey, ripe fruits, etc., and hence called also fruit sugar; also called fructose. Chemical formula: C6H12O6. It is called levulose, because it rotates the plane of polarization of light to the left, in contrast to dextrose, the other product of the hydrolysis of sucrose. [Written also lævulose.]
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☞ It is obtained, together with an equal quantity of dextrose, by the inversion of ordinary cane or beet sugar, and hence, as being an ingredient of invert sugar, is often so called. It is fermentable, nearly as sweet as cane sugar, and is metameric with dextrose. Cf. .
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Levy (-�), n.; pl. Levies (-ĭz). [A contr. of elevenpence or elevenpenny bit.] A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish real of one eighth of a dollar (or 121/2 cents), valued at eleven pence when the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d.
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Levy, n. [F. levée, fr. lever to raise. See , and cf. .] 1. The act of levying or collecting by authority; as, the levy of troops, taxes, etc.
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A levy of all the men left under sixty. Thirlwall.
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2. That which is levied, as an army, force, tribute, etc. “ The Irish levies.” Macaulay.
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3. (Law) The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting by execution.
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Coloq. Levy in mass [F. levée en masse], a requisition of all able-bodied men for military service.
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Levy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Levied (lĕvĭd); p. pr. & vb. n. Levying.] 1. To raise, as a siege. [Obs.] Holland.
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2. To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army by enrollment, conscription, etc.
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Augustine . . . inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to levy his power, and to war against them. Fuller.
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3. To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions.
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If they do this . . . my ransom, then,
Will soon be levied. Shak.
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4. (Law) (a) To gather or exact; as, to levy money. (b) To erect, build, or set up; to make or construct; to raise or cast up; as, to levy a mill, dike, ditch, a nuisance, etc. [Obs.] Cowell. Blackstone. (c) To take or seize on execution; to collect by execution.
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Coloq. To levy a fine , to commence and carry on a suit for assuring the title to lands or tenements. Blackstone. -- Coloq. To levy war , to make or begin war; to take arms for attack; to attack.
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Levy, v. i. To seize property, real or personal, or subject it to the operation of an execution; to make a levy; as, to levy on property; the usual mode of levying, in England, is by seizing the goods.
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Coloq. To levy on goods and chattels , to take into custody or seize specific property in satisfaction of a writ.
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{ Levyne (lĕvĭn), Levynite (-ĭnīt), } n. [From Mr. Levy, an English mineralogist.] (Min.) A whitish, reddish, or yellowish, transparent or translucent mineral, allied to chabazite.
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Lew (lū), a. [Cf. lee a calm or sheltered place, lukewarm.] Lukewarm; tepid. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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Lewd (lūd), a. [Compar. Lewder (-ẽr); superl. Lewdest.] [ . lewed, lewd, lay, ignorant, vile, AS. lǣwed laical, belonging to the laity.] 1. Not clerical; laic; laical; hence, unlearned; simple. [Obs.]
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For if a priest be foul, on whom we trust,
No wonder is a lewed man to rust. Chaucer.
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So these great clerks their little wisdom show
To mock the lewd, as learn'd in this as they. Sir. J. Davies.
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2. Belonging to the lower classes, or the rabble; idle and lawless; bad; vicious. [Archaic] Chaucer.
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But the Jews, which believed not, . . . took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, . . . and assaulted the house of Jason. Acts xvii. 5.
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Too lewd to work, and ready for any kind of mischief. Southey.
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3. Given to the promiscuous indulgence of lust; dissolute; lustful; libidinous. Dryden.
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4. Suiting, or proceeding from, lustfulness; involving unlawful sexual desire; as, lewd thoughts, conduct, or language.
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Syn. -- Lustful; libidinous; licentious; profligate; dissolute; sensual; unchaste; impure; lascivious; lecherous; rakish; debauched.

-- Lewdly, adv. -- Lewdness, n.
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Lewdster (-stẽr), n. A lewd person. [Obs.] Shak.
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{ Lewis (lūĭs), Lewisson (-sŭn), } n. 1. An iron dovetailed tenon, made in sections, which can be fitted into a dovetail mortise; -- used in hoisting large stones, etc.
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2. A kind of shears used in cropping woolen cloth.
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Coloq. Lewis hole , a hole wider at the bottom than at the mouth, into which a lewis is fitted. De Foe.

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Lex (lĕks), n.; pl. Leges (lējēz). [L. See .] Law; as, lex talionis, the law of retaliation; lex terræ, the law of the land; lex fori, the law of the forum or court; lex loci, the law of the place; lex mercatoria, the law or custom of merchants.
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lexical (lĕksĭk�l), a. Of or pertaining to a lexicon, to lexicography, or words; according or conforming to a lexicon. -- Lexically, adv.
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lexicalize (lĕksĭk�līz), v. t. 1. To make into a word, coin into a word; as, The concept expressed by German Gemuetlichkeit is not lexicalized in English.
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2. To increase the importance of, or emphasis on, words as opposed to other parts of a theory or program; -- said of grammatical theories and computer programs, especially programs for understanding language; as, lexicalized tree-adjoining grammar.
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Lexicographer (lĕksĭkŏgrȧfẽr), n. [Gr. lexikografos; lexikon dictionary + grafein to write: cf. F. lexicographe. See .] The author or compiler of a lexicon or dictionary.
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Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach; and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few. Johnson.
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{ Lexicographic (lĕksĭk�grăfĭk), Lexicographical (lĕksĭk�grăfĭk�l), } a. [Cf. F. lexicographique.] Of or pertaining to, or according to, lexicography. -- Lexicographically, adv.
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Lexicographist (lĕksĭkŏgrȧfĭst), n. A lexicographer. [R.] Southey.
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Lexicography (lĕksĭkŏgrȧf�), n. [Cf. F. lexicographie.] The art, process, or occupation of making a lexicon or dictionary; the principles which are applied in making dictionaries; as, with so many words lexicography can be interesting in parts but at length is rather tedious labor.
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Lexicologist (lĕksĭkŏl�jĭst), n. One versed in lexicology.
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Lexicology (lĕksĭkŏl�j�), n. [Gr. lexikon lexicon + -logy: cf. F. lexicologie.] The science of the derivation and signification of words; that branch of learning which treats of the signification and application of words.
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Lexicon (lĕksĭkŏn), n. [Gr. lexikon (sc. biblion), neut. of lexikos of or belonging to words, fr. lexis a speaking, speech, a way of speaking, a single word or phrase, fr. legein to say, to speak. See .] A vocabulary, or book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language or of a considerable number of them, with the definition of each; a dictionary; especially, a dictionary of the Greek, Hebrew, or Latin language.
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Lexiconist, n. A writer of a lexicon. [R.]
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Lexigraphic (lĕksĭgrăfĭk), a. [Cf. F. lexigraphique.] Of or pertaining to lexigraphy.
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Lexigraphy (lĕksĭgrȧf�), n. [Gr. lexis word + -graphy: cf. F. lexigraphie.] The art or practice of defining words; definition of words.
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Lexiphanic (lĕksĭfănĭk), a. [Gr. lexifanis a phrase monger; lexis speech + fainein to show.] Using, or interlarded with, pretentious words; bombastic; as, a lexiphanic writer or speaker; lexiphanic writing.
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Lexiphanicism (lĕksĭfănĭsĭz'm), n. The use of pretentious words, language, or style.
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Lexipharmic (lĕksĭfärmĭk), a. See .
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Ley (lā), v. t. & i. To lay; to wager. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Ley, n. [OF.] Law. Abbott.
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Ley (lī), n. [Obs.] See .
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Ley (lē), n. Grass or meadow land; a lea.
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Ley, a. Fallow; unseeded. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
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{ Leyden jar (līd'n jär; 277) Leyden phial (fī�l).} n. (Elec.) A glass jar or bottle used to accumulate electricity. It is coated with tin foil, within and without, nearly to its top, and is surmounted by a brass knob which communicates with the inner coating, for the purpose of charging it with electricity. It is so named from having been invented in Leyden, Holland.
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Leymus prop. n. A genus that in some classifications overlaps the genus Elymus.
Syn. -- genus Leymus.
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Leyte prop. n. The name of an island in the Pacific Ocean and of a battle in World War II, at which the American forces experienced the first use of Kamikaze aircraft by the Japanese. The return of U. S. troops to the Philippines after their expulsion by the Japanese began with landings on Leyte Island in October 1944.
Syn. -- Leyte Island, Leyte invasion, Battle of Leyte Gulf.
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Leyser (lāzẽr), n. Leisure. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Leze majesty (lēz măjĕst�) n. [F. lese-majesté, fr. L. laesus, fem. laesa, injured (see ) + majestas majesty; that is, crimen laesae majestatis.] [Written also lese majesty.] (Law) Any crime committed against the sovereign power.
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LF n. (Electronics) low frequency, a term used to refer to radio waves of a frequency from 30 to 300 kilohertz. Contrasted to HF, high frequency. [Acronym]
Syn. -- low frequency.
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LH n. (Biochem.) An abbreviation for luteinizing hormone, a gonadotropic hormone that is secreted by the pituitary and stimulates ovulation in female mammals, and stimulates androgen release in male mammals. [Acronym]
Syn. -- luteinizing hormone, interstitial cell-stimulating hormone.
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Lhasa n. The capital city of Tibet; it is the sacred city of Lamaism.
Syn. -- Lassa, Lasa, capital of Tibet.
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2. A breed of terrier having a long heavy coat raised in Tibet as watchdogs; also called Lhasa apso.
Syn. -- Lhasa apso.
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Lherzolite (lẽrz�līt), n. [From Lherz, a place in the Pyrenees + -lite.] (Min.) An igneous rock consisting largely of chrysolite, with pyroxene and picotite (a variety of spinel containing chromium).
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Li (lē), n. 1. A Chinese measure of distance, being a little more than one third of a mile.
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2. A Chinese copper coin; a cash. See .
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Liability (līȧbĭlĭt�), n.; pl. Liabilities (-tĭz).
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1. The state of being liable; as, the liability of an insurer; liability to accidents; liability to the law.
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2. That which one is under obligation to pay, or for which one is liable. Specifically, in the pl., the sum of one's pecuniary obligations; -- opposed to assets.
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Coloq. Limited liability . See Limited company, under .
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Liable (līȧb'l), a. [From F. lier to bind, L. ligare. Cf. , v. t., .] 1. Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable; as, the surety is liable for the debt of his principal.
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2. Exposed to a certain contingency or casualty, more or less probable; -- with to and an infinitive or noun; as, liable to slip; liable to accident.
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Syn. -- Accountable; responsible; answerable; bound; subject; obnoxious; exposed. -- , . Liable refers to a future possible or probable happening which may not actually occur; as, horses are liable to slip; even the sagacious are liable to make mistakes. Subject refers to any actual state or condition belonging to the nature or circumstances of the person or thing spoken of, or to that which often befalls one. One whose father was subject to attacks of the gout is himself liable to have that disease. Men are constantly subject to the law, but liable to suffer by its infraction.
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Proudly secure, yet liable to fall. Milton.
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All human things are subject to decay. Dryden.
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Liableness, n. Quality of being liable; liability.
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Liage (lī�j), n. [Cf. OF. liage a bond. See .] Union by league; alliance. [Obs.]
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liaise (lēāz), v. i. [By back-formation from .] 1. To form or maintain a liaison{3}.
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2. To act as a liaison{4}.
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liaison (l��zôN), n. [F., fr. L. ligatio, fr. ligare to bind. See , and cf. .] 1. A union, or bond of union; an intimacy; an interrelationship.
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2. Specifically, An illicit sexual relation between a man and a woman; a sexual afffair.
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3. Specifically: A process of communication between parts of an organization or between two organizations acting together for a common purpose.
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4. Hence: A person whose function it is to maintain such communication.
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5. (Phonetics) A pronunciation of a consonant sound that would be otherwise silent, such as the final consonant of certain French words, when the following word begins with a vowel sound.
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{ Liane (l�ān), Liana (l�ānȧ), } n. [F. liane; prob. akin to lien a band, fr. L. ligamen, fr. ligare to bind. Cf. , n. ] (Bot.) A luxuriant woody plant, climbing high trees and having ropelike stems. The grapevine often has the habit of a liane. Lianes are abundant in the forests of the Amazon region.
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Liar (līẽr), n. [OE. liere. See to falsify.] A person who knowingly utters falsehood; one who lies.
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Liard (līẽrd), a. [OF. liart, LL. liardus gray, dapple.] Gray. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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☞ Used by Chaucer as an epithet of a gray or dapple gray horse. Also used as a name for such a horse.
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Liard (lyär), n. [F.] A French copper coin of one fourth the value of a sou.
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Lias (lī�s), n. [Cf. F. lias, fr. liais sort of limestone, OF. also liois; perh. of Celtic origin, cf. Armor. liach, leach, a stone, Gael. leac, W. llech. Cf. .] (Geol.) The lowest of the three divisions of the Jurassic period; a name given in England and Europe to a series of marine limestones underlying the Oölite. See the Chart of .
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Liassic (l�ăssĭk), a. (Geol.) Of the age of the Lias; pertaining to the Lias formation. -- n. Same as .
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Lib (lĭb), v. t. [Cf. to geld.] To castrate. [Obs.]
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Libament (lĭbȧm�nt), n. [L. libamentum.] Libation. [Obs.] Holland.
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Libant (līb�nt), a. [L. libans, p. pr. of libare to taste, touch.] Sipping; touching lightly. [R.] Landor.
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Libation (l�bāshŭn), n. [L. libatio, fr. libare to take a little from anything, to taste, to pour out as an offering: cf. F. libation.] The act of pouring a liquid or liquor, usually wine, either on the ground or on a victim in sacrifice, in honor of some deity; also, the wine or liquid thus poured out. Dryden.
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A heathen sacrifice or libation to the earth. Bacon.
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Libatory (lībȧt�r�), a. Pertaining to libation.
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Libbard (lĭbbẽrd), n. [See .] A leopard. [Obs. or Poetic] Spenser. Keats.
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Libbard's bane (-bẽrdz bān) n. Leopard's bane. [Obs.]
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Libel (lībĕl), n. [L. libellus a little book, pamphlet, libel, lampoon, dim. of liber the liber or inner bark of a tree; also (because the ancients wrote on this bark), paper, parchment, or a roll of any material used to write upon, and hence, a book or treatise: cf. F. libelle.]
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1. A brief writing of any kind, esp. a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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A libel of forsaking [divorcement]. Wyclif (Matt. v. 31).
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2. Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
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3. (Law) A malicious publication expressed either in print or in writing, or by pictures, effigies, or other signs, tending to expose another to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. Such publication is indictable at common law.
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☞ The term, in a more extended sense, includes the publication of such writings, pictures, and the like, as are of a blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene character. These also are indictable at common law.
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4. (Law) The crime of issuing a malicious defamatory publication.
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5. (Civil Law & Courts of Admiralty) A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.
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Libel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Libeled (-bĕld) or Libelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Libeling or Libelling.] 1. To defame, or expose to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, by a writing, picture, sign, etc.; to lampoon.
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Some wicked wits have libeled all the fair. Pope.
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2. (Law) To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.
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