Definition

To leave quickly and secretly, often to escape from responsibilities or debts.

Example

After realizing he couldn't pay his bills, he decided to levant in the middle of the night.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear that Mike had to levant from town last week?

Really? I didn't know things got that bad for him.

Yeah, he was in over his head with debts.

That's too bad; I hope he finds a way to sort it all out.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Levant comes from the Old French 'lever' (meaning to rise) and is derived from the Latin 'levare' (meaning to lift or raise). The term originally referred to the rising of the sun, hence the eastern direction where the sun rises, and later came to denote the region in the eastern Mediterranean.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'lever' which means to 'lift' — this helps you remember that 'levant' refers to the direction where the sun 'rises'.

Visually Confused Words