Part 6492

<hw>Lev`i*ta"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>levis</ets> light in weight.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Lightness; buoyancy; act of making light.</def>

<i>Paley.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The act or process of making buoyant.</def>

<h1>Levite</h1> <Xpage=846>

<hw>Le"vite</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>Levites</ets>, Gr. <?/ fr. Heb. <ets>Levi</ets>, one of the sons of Jacob.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Bib. Hist.)</fld> <def>One of the tribe or family of Levi; a descendant of Levi; esp., one subordinate to the priests (who were of the same tribe) and employed in various duties connected with the tabernacle first, and afterward the temple, such as the care of the building, bringing of wood and other necessaries for the sacrifices, the music of the services, etc.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A priest; so called in contempt or ridicule.</def>

<hr> <page="847"> Page 847<p>

<h1>Levitical</h1> <Xpage=847>

<hw>Le*vit"ic*al</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>Leviticus</ets>, Gr. <?/.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Of or pertaining to a Levite or the Levites.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Priestly.</def> " <i>Levitical</i> questions."

<i>Milton.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Of or pertaining to, or designating, the law contained in the book of Leviticus.</def>

<i>Ayliffe.</i>

<cs><col>Levitical degrees</col>, <cd>degrees of relationship named in Leviticus, within which marriage is forbidden.</cd></cs>

<h1>Levitically</h1> <Xpage=847>

<hw>Le*vit"ic*al*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>After the manner of the Levites; in accordance with the levitical law.</def>

<h1>Leviticus</h1> <Xpage=847>

<hw>Le*vit"i*cus</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Levitical</er>.]</ety> <def>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.</def>

<h1>Levity</h1> <Xpage=847>

<hw>Lev"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>levitas</ets>, fr. <ets>levis</ets> light in weight; akin to <ets>levare</ets> to raise. See <er>Lever</er>, <tt>n.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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 <i>gravity</i>.</def>

<blockquote>He gave the form of <b>levity</b> to that which ascended; to that which descended, the form of gravity. <i>Sir. W. Raleigh.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>This bubble by reason of its comparative <b>levity</b> to the fluidity that incloses it, would ascend to the top. <i>Bentley.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Lack of gravity and earnestness in deportment or character; trifling gayety; frivolity; sportiveness; vanity.</def> " A spirit of <i>levity</i> and libertinism."

<i>Atterbury.</i>

<blockquote>He never employed his omnipotence out of <b>levity</b>. <i>Calamy.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Lack of steadiness or constancy; disposition to change; fickleness; volatility.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>levity</b> that is fatigued and disgusted with everything of which it is in possession. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>