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lightest |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Light \Light\ (l[imac]t), a. [AS. le['o]ht. See {Light}, n.] [Compar. {Lighter} (-[~e]r); superl. {Lightest}.] 1. Having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear; as the apartment is light. 2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade; moderately colored; as a light color; a light brown; a light complexion. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Light \Light\, a. [Compar. {Lighter} (-[~e]r); superl. {Lightest}.] [OE. light, liht, AS l[=i]ht, le['o]ht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht OHG. l[=i]hti, Icel. l[=e]ttr, Dan. let Sw l["a]tt, Goth. leihts and perh. to L. levis (cf. {Levity}), Gr 'elachy`s small Skr. laghu light. [root]125. ] 1. Having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to the center of gravity with force; not heavy. These weights did not exert their natural gravity, . . . insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. --Addison. 2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical strength; as a light burden, or load. Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. --Matt. xi 29, 30. 3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as a light affliction or task. --Chaucer. Light sufferings give us leisure to complain. --Dryden. 4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as light food; also containing little nutriment. 5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as light troops; a troop of light horse. 6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence active; nimble; swift. Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away --Bacon. 7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted; as the ship returned light. 8. Slight; not important; as a light error. --Shak. 9. Well leavened; not heavy; as light bread. 10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as a light rain; a light snow; light vapors. 11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as a light wind. 12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon hence having an easy, graceful manner; delicate; as a light touch; a light style of execution. 13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as a light, vain person; a light mind. There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion. --Tillotson. 14. Indulging in or inclined to levity; wanting dignity or solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial. Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. --Shak. Specimens of New England humor laboriously light and lamentably mirthful. --Hawthorne. 15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy. Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain ? --Shak. 16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered. To a fair semblance doth light faith annex. --Spenser. 17. Wanton; unchaste; as a woman of light character. A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak. 18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished; as light coin. 19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as a light soil. {Light cavalry}, {Light horse} (Mil.), light-armed soldiers mounted on strong and active horses. {Light eater}, one who eats but little. {Light infantry}, infantry soldiers selected and trained for rapid evolutions. {Light of foot}. a Having a light step. b Fleet. {Light of heart}, gay, cheerful. {Light oil} (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water, forming the chief part of the first distillate of coal tar, and consisting largely of benzene and toluene. {Light sails} (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails, with also the studding sails and flying jib. --Dana. {Light sleeper}, one easily wakened. {Light weight}, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey, who is below a standard medium weight. Cf {Feather weight}, under {Feather}. [Cant] {To make light of}, to treat as of little consequence; to slight; to disregard. {To set light by}, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise.
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