I. ˈlīth, ˈlīth adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English lithe, lith, from Old English līthe mild, gentle; akin to Old Saxon līthi mild, gentle, Old High German lindi, Latin lentus flexible, slow, Welsh llathr bright, smooth, Sanskrit latā vine, liana; basic meaning: flexible
1. chiefly Scotland : mild and soothing : gentle , serene
sang the mass with lithe devotion — Bruce Marshall
2.
a. : agile and lissome : easily flexed : supple , resilient
lithe dancing girls
saw the lithe mechanic's body … flex like a drawn bow — Waldo Frank
the long palette knife, with its thin blade of lithe steel — Oscar Wilde
b. : characterized by effortless grace
charming and lithe in writing — Times Literary Supplement
Synonyms: see supple
II. ˈlīth transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
dialect : to make thick (as broth)
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English lithen, from Old Norse hlȳtha; akin to Old English hlȳdan to make a noise, shout, Old Frisian hlēda to make a noise, shout, Old High German hlūten to make a noise, Old English hlūd loud — more at loud
archaic : listen , hear
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of lewth
Scotland : a sheltered place : shelter