Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIGHT, a.² [lite; Sax. liht, leohr; D. ligt; G. leicht; Fr. leger; It. leggiero; Port. ligeiro; Sp. ligero; Russ. legkei; Sans. leka. The Sw. lätt, Dan. let, may be contractions of the same word. The Slavonic also has lehek and legok. Qu. L. alacer. This word accords with light, the fluid, in orthography, and may be from the same radix.]

1. Having little weight; not tending to center of gravity with force; not heavy. A feather is light, compared with lead or silver; but a thing is light, only comparatively. That which is light to a man, may be heavy to a child. A light burden for a camel may be insupportable to a horse.
2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne or carried by physical strength; as, a light burden, weight or load.
3. Not oppressive; easy to be suffered or endured; as, a light affliction. – 2 Cor. iv.
4. Easy to be performed; not difficult; not requiring great strength or exertion. The task is light; the work is light.
5. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food. It may signify, also, containing little nutriment.
6. Not heavily armed, or armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse.
7. Active; swift; nimble. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. 2 Sam. ii.
8. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments. Unmarried men are best masters, but not best subjects; for they are light to run away. – Bacon.
9. Not laden; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted. The ship returned light.
10. Slight; trifling; not important; as, a light error. – Boyle.
11. Not dense; not gross; as, light vapors; light fumes. – Dryden.
12. Small; inconsiderable; not copious or vehement; as, a light rain; a light snow.
13. Not strong; not violent; moderate; as, a light wind.
14. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; violatile; 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.
15. Gay; airy; indulging levity; wanting dignity or solidity; trifling. Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. – Shak. We may neither be light in prayer, nor wrathful in debate. – J. M. Mason.
16. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light carriage. A light wife doth make a heavy linsband. – Shak.
17. Not of legal weight; clipped; diminished; as, light coin.
18. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil. To set light by, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise. To make light of, to treat as of little consequence; to slight; to disregard.