'To levy war' definitions:

Definition of 'To levy war'

From: GCIDE

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. [1913 Webster]
2. To raise; to collect; said of troops, to form into an army by enrollment, conscription, etc. [1913 Webster]
Augustine . . . inflamed Ethelbert, king of Kent, to levy his power, and to war against them. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
3. To raise or collect by assessment; to exact by authority; as, to levy taxes, toll, tribute, or contributions. [1913 Webster]
If they do this . . . my ransom, then, Will soon be levied. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. (Law) (a) To gather or exact; as, to levy money. (b) 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. (c) To take or seize on execution; to collect by execution. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]