levant

Everyday

1. The Levant is an old name for the lands on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, today mainly Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestine and Jordan, and sometimes Cyprus and parts of Turkey. tree →
2. (old slang, UK, rare) To levant was to run away without paying your debts. tree →

In the lessons

In history and geography lessons the Levant appears with ancient Phoenicians, Bible lands, the Crusades and trade routes; the name comes from French «lever» (to rise), because the sun rises in the east. Its food, like hummus and falafel, is called Levantine. Phrases: «the Levant», «Levantine food», «the countries of the Levant».

Examples

• The Phoenicians were sailors from the Levant. tree →
• Crusader castles still stand in the Levant. tree →
• Hummus is popular all over the Levant. tree →
• Merchants brought spices through the ports of the Levant. tree →
• Lebanon and Syria are countries of the Levant. tree →
• The Levant lies on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean. tree →

Note

Written with a capital and «the»: «the Levant». Adjective «Levantine». The verb sense is very old slang; you will hardly ever see it. Said «luh-VANT».