Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LEV'Y, v.i. [Fr. lever; It. levare; Sp. levar; L. levo; Eng. to lift.]

1. To raise; to collect. To levy troops, is to enlist or to order men into public service. To levy an army, is to collect troops and form an army by enrollment, conscription or other means.
2. To raise; to collect by assessment; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions. To levy war, is to raise or begin war; to take arms for attack; to attack. Blackstone. To levy a fine, to commence and carry on a suit for assuring the title to lands or tenements. – Blackstone.