levy taxes — to impose and collect taxes from citizens or organizations
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to impose and collect taxes from citizens or organizations
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlevi ˈtæksɪz/
Example Sentences
- The king decided to levy taxes on coffee because his wife said it was 'way too addictive for the peasants.'
- Local governments often levy taxes on cigarettes to discourage smoking.
- The mayor threatened to levy a 'bad joke tax' after hearing too many puns at the town meeting.
levy taxes
VERB[/ˈlevi ˈtæksɪz/]
to impose and collect taxes from citizens or organizations
to impose and collect taxes from citizens or organizations
Heavy taxes bring a bevy of worried citizens
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Levy derives from Middle French 'lever,' meaning 'to raise' or 'to lift.' The term evolved in medieval usage to denote the collection or imposition of military forces and taxes, transferring the literal sense of raising to the figurative act of requisitioning resources or personnel.
Breakdown
lever (to raise, lift) → levy (to impose or collect taxes/military forces). The semantic shift reflects the practical act of 'raising' or 'gathering' resources from a population.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The king decided to levy taxes on coffee because his wife said it was 'way too addictive for the peasants.'”
“Local governments often levy taxes on cigarettes to discourage smoking.”
“The mayor threatened to levy a 'bad joke tax' after hearing too many puns at the town meeting.”
“Companies must comply when governments levy corporate taxes.”
📚Related Words
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