[f. LEVANT v.1] The action of LEVANT v.1; a bet made with the intention of absconding if it is lost. Only in phrases to come the levant, run or throw a levant.

1

1714.  T. Lucas, Mem. Gamesters (ed. 2), 111. He hath ventur’d to come the Levant over Gintlemen.

2

1728.  Vanbr. & Cib., Prov. Husb., I. i. 17. Throw a familiar Levant upon some sharp lurching Man of Quality.

3

1731.  Fielding, Lottery, III. Wks. 1882, VIII. 483. Matter! Why, I had a Levant thrown upon me. Ibid. (1749), Tom Jones, VIII. xii. Never mind that, man; e’en boldly run a levant.

4

1812.  J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Levanting or Running a Levant.

5