levy
UK[ˈlevi]US[ˈlevi]
v
to impose or collect (a tax, fee, or fine) by authority
v
to enlist or conscript (troops) for military service
n
an act of imposing and collecting a tax, fee, or fine
n
a sum of money collected as a tax, fee, or fine
n
a group of troops enlisted or conscripted
Etymology
the word 'levy' entered english in the late middle english period from the anglo-norman french 'levé', a variant of the old french 'levée'. its core concept is 'a raising', stemming from the latin verb 'levare', meaning 'to lift or lighten'. this literal sense of lifting evolved metaphorically into the administrative and military spheres: to 'raise' money through taxation and to 'raise' an army by conscription. thus, the modern abstract meanings of imposing a financial charge or enlisting personnel are directly tied to this ancient idea of causing something to rise or be collected.
Analysis
the entire word 'levy' functions as a simplex unit in modern english. it derives from the old french 'levée', meaning 'a raising' or 'act of lifting', which itself came from the feminine past participle of 'lever', 'to raise'.
Examples
the government decided to levy a new tax on luxury goods.
the county will use the levy to fund improvements to the public parks.
in times of war, the king had the power to levy troops from across the realm.