The Spanish word 'leva', meaning 'recruitment' or 'departure', traces its roots back to the Latin word 'levis' meaning 'light (in weight)'. From this Latin adjective came the verb 'levare' meaning 'to lift or raise'. This evolved into the Spanish verb 'levar' with the same meaning, and finally gave us 'leva'. The semantic development from 'lifting' to 'recruitment/departure' can be understood through the idea of 'raising' forces (recruiting) or 'lifting' anchor (departure).

Some common Spanish words that share this etymology include 'elevar' (to elevate), 'leve' (slight, minor), and 'aliviar' (to relieve, alleviate). All these words carry the core concept of 'lifting' or 'lightness' from their shared Latin root.

English speakers might recognize this etymology in words like 'levitate' (to rise or float in the air), 'lever' (a lifting device), 'levity' (lightness of manner), and 'alleviate' (to make lighter or more bearable). All these words share the same Latin ancestor 'levis' meaning 'light' and 'levare' meaning 'to lift'.