— slighter , n. — slightly , adv. — slightness , n.
/sluyt/ , adj., slighter, slightest , v. , n.
adj.
1. small in amount, degree, etc.: a slight increase; a slight odor.
2. of little importance, influence, etc.; trivial: a slight cut.
3. slender or slim; not heavily built.
4. frail; flimsy; delicate: a slight fabric.
5. of little substance or strength.
v.t.
6. to treat as of little importance.
7. to treat (someone) with indifference; ignore, esp. pointedly or contemptuously; snub: to be slighted by society.
8. to do negligently; scamp: to slight one's studies.
n.
9. an act or instance of slighting indifference or treatment: Slights marred his work.
10. a pointed and contemptuous discourtesy; affront: She considered not being invited an unforgivable slight.
[ 1250-1300; ME (adj.) smooth, sleek, slender; cf. OE -sliht- in eorth-slihtes even with ground; c. G schlicht, ON slettr, Goth slaihts smooth ]
Syn. 2. insignificant, trifling, paltry. 3. See slender. 4. weak, feeble, fragile. 5. unsubstantial, inconsiderable. 6. disdain, scorn. SLIGHT, DISREGARD, NEGLECT, OVERLOOK mean to pay no attention or too little attention to someone or something. To SLIGHT is to give only superficial attention to something important: to slight one's work. To DISREGARD is to pay no attention to a person or thing: to disregard the rules; in some circumstances, to DISREGARD may be admirable: to disregard a handicap.
To NEGLECT is to shirk paying sufficient attention to a person or thing: to neglect one's correspondence. To OVERLOOK is to fail to see someone or something (possibly because of carelessness): to overlook a bill that is due. 9. neglect, disregard, inattention; disdain, scorn. 10. See insult .
Ant. 1. considerable.