SLIGHT


Meaning of SLIGHT in English

I. ˈslīt adjective

Etymology: Middle English, smooth, slight, probably from Old English sliht - (in eorth-slihtes level with the ground); akin to Old High German sleht smooth, slīhhan to glide — more at slick

Date: 14th century

1.

a. : having a slim or delicate build : not stout or massive in body

b. : lacking in strength or substance : flimsy , frail

c. : deficient in weight, solidity, or importance : trivial

a slight movie

2. : small of its kind or in amount

a slight chance

a slight odor of gas

Synonyms: see thin

• slight·ly adverb

• slight·ness noun

II. transitive verb

Date: 1586

1. : to treat as slight or unimportant : make light of

2. : to treat with disdain or indifference

slight a guest

3. : to perform or attend to carelessly and inadequately

don't slight your work

Synonyms: see neglect

III. noun

Date: 1701

1. : an act or an instance of slighting

2. : an instance of being slighted : a humiliating discourtesy

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.