Definition

1. 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

1. an easterly wind in the western Mediterranean area