light2
Pronunciation: /lʌɪt/
adjective
- 1of little weight; not heavy: light alloy wheels you’re as light as a feather
- deficient in weight, especially by a specified amount: the sack of potatoes is 5 kilos light
- carrying or suitable for small loads: light commercial vehicles
- carrying only light armaments: light infantry
- (of a vehicle, ship, or aircraft) travelling unladen or with less than a full load.
- (of soil) friable, porous, and workable.
- (of an isotope) having not more than the usual mass; (of a compound) containing such an isotope.
- 3relatively low in density, amount, or intensity: passenger traffic was light light autumn rains
- (of food or a meal) small in quantity and easy to digest: a light supper
- (of a foodstuff) low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, or other rich ingredients: stick to a light diet
- (of drink) not strongly alcoholic or heavy on the stomach: a light Hungarian wine
- (of pastry or cake) fluffy or well aerated during cooking: it was delicious, the pastry light and flaky
- 4gentle or delicate: she planted a light kiss on his cheek my breathing was steady and light
- (of type) having thin strokes; not bold: times shown in light type denote connecting services
Phrases
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be light on
- be rather short of: we’re light on fuel
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be light on one's feet
- (of a person) be quick or nimble: she may be plump but she is very light on her feet
-
a light touch
- the ability to deal with something tactfully or in an understated way: a novel which handles its tricky subject with a light touch
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make light of
- treat as unimportant: I didn’t mean to make light of your problems
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make light work of
- accomplish (a task) quickly and easily: make light work of cooking with the help of this electronic food processor
-
travel light
- travel with a minimum load or minimum luggage: she’s one of those backpackers who likes to travel light
Origin:
Old English lēocht, līht (noun), lēohte (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch licht and German leicht, from an Indo-European root shared by lung