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.
1. 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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