adj.
Pronunciation: ' l ī th , ' l ī th
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English l ī the gentle; akin to Old High German lindi gentle, Latin lentus slow
Date: 14th century
1 : easily bent or flexed < lithe steel> <a lithe vine>
2 : characterized by easy flexibility and grace <a lithe dancer> <treading with a lithe silent step> also : athletically slim <the most lithe and graspable of waists ― R. P. Warren>
– lithe · ly adverb
– lithe · ness noun