light-touchadj.
/ˌlʌɪtˈtʌtʃ/, U.S. /ˌlaɪ(t)ˈtətʃ/ 1. Esp. of a mechanism or the control of a machine, etc.: easy to control or manipulate, responding to very little pressure; requiring minimal effort or exertion.
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the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > doing effortlessly > involving little effort
lightOE
easyc1380
softc1390
unpainful?c1425
unconstrained1541
toilless1606
facile1607
labourlessa1613
cheapa1616
unforced1642
unlaborious1644
slight1667
sweatless1893
pussyfoot1899
lite1929
light-touch1935
1935 N.Y. Times 4 June 24/2 (advt.) Every famous Chrysler feature... Syncro-silent transmissions..light-touch steering..hydraulic brakes.
1956 Sunday Messenger (Athens, Ohio) 8 Jan. 9/1 (advt.) It [sc. an adding machine] is designed for easy operation... Its light touch keyboard eliminates fatigue.
1982 Daily Mail 4 June 14/1 (advt.) A compact lightweight 13″ colour TV with 8 preset channels featuring light-touch controls.
2017 Chicago Daily Herald (Nexis) 15 Sept. (Auto section) 1 Light-touch steering makes this vehicle seem lighter than its 3,164 pounds.
2. Esp. of regulation, checks, etc.: restrained; moderate; not strict, thorough, or detailed. Cf. with a light touch at light adj.1 13a(b).Not common in North American use.
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society > authority > lack of strictness > [adjective]
largeda1382
softc1405
largea1450
laxc1450
remissa1500
milda1530
gentle1533
slender1577
relax1609
unconstraining1644
unoppressive1648
inoppressive1661
unaustere1741
undespotic1821
light-touch1949
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > not specified > general or not detailed
universal?c1425
gross1433
summary1529
general1538
generalized1768
broad1860
slumpy1864
light-touch1949
1949 Lima (Ohio) News 14 June 15/1 The light touch era of affable Charlie Grimm..has been supplanted by a man with a whip in his hand.
1992 Independent 3 Aug. 3/5 (heading) Southampton docks has been experimenting with the ‘light touch’ checks that come into force under EC rules next year.
2018 Sunday Times (Nexis) 7 Oct. (Business section) 12 With the start of the banking bailout, we saw first-hand how the light-touch regulation of financial firms caused a national crisis.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
light-touchv.
/ˌlʌɪtˈtʌtʃ/, U.S. /ˌlaɪ(t)ˈtətʃ/ rare.
transitive. To touch (a thing) lightly or minimally; (also) to paint with a light touch.
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1743 E. Young Complaint: Night the Fifth 30 The illustrious Stranger [sc. the Soul]..Of Earth suspicious, Earth's inchanted Cup With cool Reserve light-touching, should indulge On Immortality, her Godlike Tast.
1748 J. Thomson Castle of Indolence i. xxxviii Whate'er Lorrain light-touched with softening hue.
1791 E. Jerningham Shakspeare Gallery 11 Thy form celestial melting into air, With foot light-touching some fantastic height.
2020 @DBGen13 20 July in twitter.com (accessed 24 Sept. 2021) This game will read a button I light touched after I've been hit and treat it as a counter hit.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
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adj.1935
v.1743