slight

The definition of slight is a small amount or someone that is fragile or has little weight or substance.

(adjective)

  1. An example of slight used as an adjective is a slight sunburn which is a small amount of sunburn.
  2. An example of slight used as an adjective is the phrase slight build which is a very thin person.

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See slight in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

    1. light in form or build; not stout or heavy; slender
    2. frail; fragile
  1. having little weight, strength, substance, or significance: a slight criticism
  2. small in amount or extent; not great or intense: a slight fever

Origin: ME (northern dial.) sliht < OE, kin to OHG sleht, straight, smooth: for IE base see slick

transitive verb

  1. to do carelessly or poorly; neglect
  2. to treat with disrespect or indifference; be discourteous toward
  3. to treat as unimportant

noun

a slighting or being slighted by pointedly indifferent, disrespectful, or supercilious treatment

Related Forms:

See slight in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective slight·er, slight·est
  1. Small in size, degree, or amount: a slight tilt; a slight surplus.
  2. Lacking strength, substance, or solidity; frail: a slight foundation; slight evidence.
  3. Of small importance or consideration; trifling: slight matters.
  4. Small and slender in build or construction; delicate.
transitive verb slight·ed, slight·ing, slights
  1. To treat as of small importance; make light of.
  2. To treat with discourteous reserve or inattention.
  3. To do negligently or thoughtlessly; scant.
noun
  1. The act or an instance of slighting.
  2. A deliberate discourtesy; a snub: “It is easier to recount grievances and slights than it is to set down a broad redress of such grievances and slights” (Elizabeth Kenny).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, slender, smooth

Origin: , possibly of Scandinavian origin; see lei- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • slightˈness noun

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