svelte Hear it!

svelte definition

svelte (svelt, sfelt)

adjective

  1. slender and graceful; lithe: used chiefly of women
  2. suave, polished, sophisticated, etc. his svelte singing style

Etymology: Fr < It svelto, pp. of svegliere, to pull out, hence, to free < VL *exvellere, for L evellere, to pluck out < e-, out + vellere, to pluck: see vellicate

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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