levee

noun

1. An elevated ridge of deposited sediment on the banks of a river, formed by the river's overflow at times of high discharge.
2. An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi.
3. (US)The steep bank of a river.

   “The purchaser of a riparious estate under the words "front to the levee," does not acquire the alluvion or batture, when there is land susceptible of separate ownership beyond the levee.”

4. (US)The border of an irrigated field.
5. (US)A pier or other landing place on a river.
6. (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 […]”

7. A reception of visitors held after getting up.
8. A formal reception, especially one given by royalty or other leaders.

   “I must take my leave, for the Cardinal holds a levee to-day, and let those fail in attendance who want nothing.”

   “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.’”

verb

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

   “to levee a river”

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

   “He levees all the great.”