I. ˈslīt, usu -īd.+V adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English sleght, slight, probably from Middle Dutch slecht, slicht smooth, simple, of slight measure; akin to Old English eorth slih tes level with the ground, Old Norse slēttr smooth, Old High German sleht, Gothic slaihts, Old Norse slīkr smooth — more at slick
1. chiefly dialect : smooth , calm , sleek
a slight sea
2.
a. : having a slim or delicate build : not stout or massive in body
a slight girl
b. : lacking in strength or substance : flimsy , frail
a slight temporary construction
c. : deficient in weight, solidity, gravity, importance, or other esteemed quality : trivial , paltry , superficial
a slight argument
a slight attack of indigestion
3. of persons : of low rank : humble , mean
4. : small of its kind or in amount : scanty , meager
the rewards were slight
a slight odor of gas
Synonyms: see thin
II. noun
( -s )
obsolete : something (as an amount, quantity, or matter) that is slight or insignificant
III. ˈslīt, usu -īd.+V adverb
( -er/-est )
1. obsolete
a. : in small or slight degree : poorly
b. : to a small degree : somewhat
2. : in a light or slender manner — usually used in combination
slight -built shapely persons
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English slighten, from slight (I)
1. obsolete : to make smooth or level ; also : to level with the earth : overthrow , raze
2. obsolete : to throw heedlessly or contemptuously
3.
a. : to treat as slight or unimportant : disregard the significance of : make light of
slight divine commands
— sometimes used with over
slighted his request over
b. : to treat with disdain or indifference : ignore discourteously
slight a guest
feel slighted
c. : to perform or attend to carelessly and inadequately
slight one's work
d. : slur I 4
Synonyms: see neglect
V. noun
( -s )
1. : an act or an instance of slighting
2. : an instance of being slighted or treated indifferently or superciliously : a humiliating discourtesy : an affront to one's dignity