[lithe] adj [ME, fr. OE lithe gentle; akin to OHG lindi gentle, L lentus slow] (14c) 1: easily bent or flexed "~ steel" "a ~ vine"
2: characterized by easy flexibility and grace "a ~ dancer" "treading with a ~ silent step"; also: athletically slim "the most ~ and graspable of waists --R. P. Warren" -- lithe.ly adv -- lithe.ness n