ˈlēˌvīt, usu -īd.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin Levita, Levites, from Greek Leuitēs, from Leui Levi, third son of Jacob and ancestor of the Levites (from Hebrew Lēwī ) + -itēs -ite
1. usually capitalized : a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi : a descendant of Levi ; specifically : a non-Aaronic descendant of Levi assigned to assist the Levitical priests of the family of Aaron in the care of the tabernacle and later of the temple
2. sometimes capitalized : a Christian cleric in orders below those of priest ; specifically : deacon 1