What is "to levy war"

Levy \Lev"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Levied (l[e^]v"[i^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Levying.]

1. To raise, as a siege. [Obs.]
   --Holland.

2. To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army by enrollment, conscription, etc.

   Augustine . . . inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to levy his power, and to war against them.
   --Fuller.

3. To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions.

   If they do this . . . my ransom, then, Will soon be levied.
   --Shak.

4. (Law)

   1. To gather or exact; as, to levy money.

   2. To erect, build, or set up; to make or construct; to raise or cast up; as, to levy a mill, dike, ditch, a nuisance, etc. [Obs.]
      --Cowell.
      --Blackstone.

   3. To take or seize on execution; to collect by execution.

      To levy a fine, to commence and carry on a suit for assuring the title to lands or tenements.
      --Blackstone.

      To levy war, to make or begin war; to take arms for attack; to attack.