Slight \Slight\, n.
The act of slighting; the manifestation of a moderate degree
of contempt, as by neglect or oversight; neglect; indignity.
Syn: Neglect; disregard; inattention; contempt; disdain;
scorn; disgrace; indignity; disparagement.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |
Slight \Slight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slighted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Slighting.]
To disregard, as of little value and unworthy of notice; to
make light of; as, to slight the divine commands. --Milton.
The wretch who slights the bounty of the skies.
--Cowper.
To slight off, to treat slightingly; to drive off; to
remove. [R.]
-- To slight over, to run over in haste; to
perform superficially; to treat carelessly; as, to slight
over a theme. ``They will but slight it over.'' --Bacon.
Syn: To neglect; disregard; disdain; scorn.
Usage: Slight, Neglect. To slight is stronger than to
neglect. We may neglect a duty or person from
inconsiderateness, or from being over-occupied in
other concerns. To slight is always a positive and
intentional act, resulting from feelings of dislike or
contempt. We ought to put a kind construction on what
appears neglect on the part of a friend; but when he
slights us, it is obvious that he is our friend no
longer.
Beware . . . lest the like befall . . . If they
transgress and slight that sole command.
--Milton.
This my long-sufferance, and my day of grace,
Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste.
--Milton.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |
Slight \Slight\, v. t. [Cf. D. slechten to level, to demolish.]
1. To overthrow; to demolish. [Obs.]
--Clarendon.
2. To make even or level. [Obs.]
--Hexham.
3. To throw heedlessly. [Obs.]
The rogue slighted me into the river. --Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |
Slight \Slight\, a. [Compar. Slighter; superl. Slightest.]
[OE. sli?t, sleght, probably from OD. slicht, slecht, simple,
plain, D. slecht; akin to OFries. sliucht, G. schlecht,
schlicht, OHG. sleht smooth, simple, Icel. sl?ttr smooth, Sw.
sl["a]t, Goth. sla['i]hts; or uncertain origin.]
1. Not decidedly marked; not forcible; inconsiderable;
unimportant; insignificant; not severe; weak; gentle; --
applied in a great variety of circumstances; as, a slight
(i. e., feeble) effort; a slight (i. e., perishable)
structure; a slight (i. e., not deep) impression; a slight
(i. e., not convincing) argument; a slight (i. e., not
thorough) examination; slight (i. e., not severe) pain,
and the like. ``At one slight bound.'' --Milton.
Slight is the subject, but not so the praise.
--Pope.
Some firmly embrace doctrines upon slight grounds.
--Locke.
2. Not stout or heavy; slender.
His own figure, which was formerly so slight. --Sir
W. Scott.
3. Foolish; silly; weak in intellect. --Hudibras.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |