levanter
/li'væntə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An easterly wind in the western Mediterranean area: A strong, often violent, easterly wind that blows in the western Mediterranean, particularly through the Strait of Gibraltar.
- A person who absconds, especially to avoid paying a debt: (Archaic/Informal) A person who runs away, particularly one who flees to avoid paying gambling debts or other obligations.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Wind):
- The sudden levanter made sailing through the strait very dangerous.
- Fishermen know to be cautious when a levanter is forecast.
- Noun (Person):
- After losing heavily at cards, he turned levanter and was never seen again.
- The innkeeper was left unpaid by yet another levanter.
Advanced Usage
- Capitalization: When referring specifically to the wind, it is often capitalized as Levanter.
- The Levanter can bring humid air and cloud to the Rock of Gibraltar.
- Historical/Regional Context: The term for the wind originates from the Levant region (the eastern Mediterranean), from where the wind blows.
Variants and Related Words
- Levant (verb, archaic): To run away, especially to avoid paying debts.
- He levanted with the company's funds.
- The Levant (proper noun): A historical term for the region along the eastern Mediterranean shores.
Synonyms
- For the wind: easterly, easterly wind.
- For the person: absconder, fugitive, runaway, defaulter, bolter.
Related Phrases
- To do a levanter (archaic/informal): To abscond or run away suddenly.
- Fearing his creditors, he decided to do a levanter.
Notes on Meaning
The word has two distinct and unrelated meanings: 1. The primary modern usage refers to the meteorological phenomenon—a specific wind. 2. The secondary, now largely archaic or historical usage, refers to a person who flees, stemming from the verb "to levant." This usage is rare in contemporary English.
Noun
- an easterly wind in the western Mediterranean area