Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Slight?

\Slight\, n. Sleight. --Spenser.
\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.
\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.
\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.
\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.
\Slight\, adv. Slightly. [Obs. or Poetic] Think not so slight of glory. --Milton.