2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a
deep shade; moderately colored; as, a light color; a light
brown; a light complexion.
These weights did not exert their natural gravity, .
. . insomuch that I could not guess which was light
or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. --Addison.
2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by
physical strength; as, a light burden, or load.
Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light. --Matt. xi.
29, 30.
3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not
difficult; as, a light affliction or task. --Chaucer.
Light sufferings give us leisure to complain.
--Dryden.
4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as,
light food; also, containing little nutriment.
5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light
troops; a troop of light horse.
6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments;
hence, active; nimble; swift.
Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . .
but not always best subjects, for they are light to
run away. --Bacon.
7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently
ballasted; as, the ship returned light.
8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. --Shak.
9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread.
10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as,
a light rain; a light snow; light vapors.
11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind.
12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy,
graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light
style of execution.
13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced
by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled;
volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind.
There is no greater argument of a light and
inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at
religion. --Tillotson.
14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or
solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial.
Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.
--Shak.
Specimens of New England humor laboriously light
and lamentably mirthful. --Hawthorne.
15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged;
dizzy; giddy.
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain ?
--Shak.
16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered.
To a fair semblance doth light faith annex.
--Spenser.
17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character.
A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak.
18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped;
diminished; as, light coin.
19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil.
{Light cavalry}, {Light horse} (Mil.), light-armed soldiers
mounted on strong and active horses.
{Light eater}, one who eats but little.
{Light infantry}, infantry soldiers selected and trained for
rapid evolutions.
{Light of foot}.
(a) Having a light step.
(b) Fleet.
{Light of heart}, gay, cheerful.
{Light oil} (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water,
forming the chief part of the first distillate of coal
tar, and consisting largely of benzene and toluene.
{Light sails} (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails,
with, also, the studding sails and flying jib. --Dana.
{Light sleeper}, one easily wakened.
{Light weight}, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey,
who is below a standard medium weight. Cf. {Feather
weight}, under {Feather}. [Cant]
{To make light of}, to treat as of little consequence; to
slight; to disregard.
{To set light by}, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of
no importance; to despise.
{Lighter screw} (Mach.), a screw for adjusting the distance
between the stones in a grinding mill by raising or
lowering the bridgetree.