Levee

A levee, levée (/ˈlɛvi/; French: [ləˈve]), dike, dyke, embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels. It is usually earthen and often parallel to the course of a river in its floodplain or along low-lying coastlines.

Etymology

Levee

The word levee, from the French word levée (from the feminine past participle of the French verb lever, "to raise"), is used in American English (notably in the Midwest and Deep South). It originated in New Orleans a few years after the city's founding in 1718 and was later adopted by English speakers. The name derives from the trait of the levee's ridges being raised higher than both the channel and the surrounding floodplains.

Dike

The modern word dike or dyke most likely derives from the Dutch word "dijk", with the construction of dikes in Frisia (now part of the Netherlands and Germany) well attested as early as the 11th century. The 126 kilometres (78 mi) long Westfriese Omringdijk was completed by 1250, and was formed by connecting existing older dikes. The Roman chronicler Tacitus even mentions that the rebellious Batavi pierced dikes to flood their land and to protect their retreat (AD 70). The word dijk originally indicated both the trench and the bank. It is closely related to the English verb to dig.

Levée (ceremony)

The levée (from the French word lever, meaning "getting up" or "rising") has traditionally been a daily moment of intimacy and accessibility to a monarch or leader. It started out as a royal custom, but in America, it later came to refer to a reception by the King’s representatives and, even later, by the president.

History

France

In Einhard's Life of Charlemagne the author recounts the Emperor's practice, when he was dressing and putting on his shoes, to invite his friends to come in, and in case of a dispute brought to his attention, "he would order the disputants to be brought in there and then, hear the case as if he were sitting in tribunal and pronounce a judgement."

By the second half of the sixteenth century, it had become a formal event, requiring invitation. In 1563 Catherine de' Medici wrote in advice to her son, the King of France, to do as his father (Henry II) had done and uphold the practice of lever. Catherine describes that Henry II allowed his subjects, from nobles to household servants, to come in while he dressed. She states this pleased his subjects and improved their opinion of him.

Levee (horse)

Levee was a Kentucky thoroughbred foaled in 1953. She was an accomplished stakes winner and the dam of the champion race mare Shuvee.

Race career

Levee raced in a time before the current US stakes race grading system, so while she is technically not a graded stakes winner, many of the race she won are now graded. Her first stakes win came in the 1955 Selima Stakes during her two-year-old season. At three, she won the Monmouth Oaks after placing third several times in the Alabama Stakes, Acorn Stakes, Test Stakes and Prioress Stakes. Levee then won the Coaching Club American Oaks, described as "America's toughest stakes for 3-year-old fillies" by a neck from Princess Turia, and the Beldame Stakes both of which are now grade 1 stakes. In the latter race, she "outbattled" the Calumet Farm-owned Amoret in the stretch to win by half a length.

Breeding career

Levee was a very successful broodmare. She produced 11 foals, 7 of which were winners with 4 being stakes winners. The most notable was the mare Shuvee. Shuvee was a Filly Triple Crown (now called Triple Tiara) winner, a two-time Older Mare Champion and the only female to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Levee also produced, Nalee, a 1960 filly by Nashua who won several stakes including the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and Santa Ynez Stakes. She also produced Royal Gunner a 1962 colt by Royal Charger, who won the Cornhusker Handicap, and A TS Olie, a 1967 filly by Mongo who won the Nassau Stakes. Levee was named Kentucky Broodmare of the Year in 1970. She produced her last foal, a filly by Arts and Letters named Artful Levee, in 1973.