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单词 lightly
释义

lightlyadj.1n.

Brit. /ˈlʌɪtli/, U.S. /ˈlaɪtli/, Scottish English /ˈlʌitlɪ/, /ˈlɪxtlɪ/
Forms: Old English leohtlic, Middle English lightli, Middle English liȝtli, Middle English liȝtliche, Middle English liȝtly, Middle English lihtlich, Middle English lihtliche, Middle English lyghtly, Middle English lyȝtly, Middle English 1600s lightly; Scottish pre-1700 leichtlie, pre-1700 lichli, pre-1700 lichtly, pre-1700 lychly, pre-1700 lychtli, pre-1700 lychtlie, pre-1700 lychtly, pre-1700 1800s– lichtlie, 1700s lightly.
Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: light adj.1, -ly suffix1.
Etymology: < light adj.1 + -ly suffix1.Compare Old Frisian lichtelik insignificant, Middle Dutch lihtelijc light, easy, Old Saxon līhtlīk inferior (Middle Low German lichtlīk, lüchtlīk light, easy, insignificant), Old High German līhtlīh insignificant (Middle High German līhtelih, German †leichtlich), Old Icelandic léttligr light.
A. adj.1
†1. Frivolous, trifling, fickle; to be slighted, contemptible. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > light-mindedness > [adjective]
lightlyeOE
lightOE
lightsomea1425
flying1509
light-minded?1529
tickle or light of the sear?1530
giddya1547
light-headed1549
gidded1563
giddish1566
fling-brained1570
tickle-headed1583
toyish1584
shallow1594
leger1598
corky1601
barmy1602
airy1609
unfirma1616
unballast1622
cork-brained1630
unballasted1644
kickshawa1655
unserious1655
unstudious1663
flirtishc1665
caper-witteda1670
shatter-headedc1686
corky-brained1699
flea-lugged1724
halokit1724
shatter-brained1727
scattered-brained1747
shatter-witted1775
flippant1791
butterfly-brained1796
scatter-brained1804
gossamer1806
shandy-pated1806
shattery1820
barmy-brained1823
papilionaceous1832
flirtatious1834
flirty1840
Micawberish1859
scatterheaded1867
flibberty-gibberty1879
thistledown1897
shatter-pated1901
trivial-minded1905
scattery1924
fizgig1928
ditzy1979
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [adjective] > contemptible
unworthc893
unwrastc893
littleOE
narrow-hearteda1200
wretcha1200
unworthya1240
wretchedc1250
un-i-wrastc1275
bad1276
lechera1300
feeblea1325
despisablea1340
villain1340
contemptiblec1384
lousyc1386
caitiff1393
brothelyc1400
roinousa1425
poor1425
sevenpennyc1475
nasty1477
peakish1519
filthy1533
despectuous1541
beggary1542
scald1542
shitten?1545
disdainfula1547
contemptuous1549
despicable1553
skit-brained?1553
contemniblea1555
vile1560
sluttish1561
queer1567
scornful1570
scallardc1575
tinkerly?1576
worthless1576
beggarly?1577
paltry1578
halfpenny1579
dog bolt1580
pitiful1582
sneaking1582
triobolar1585
wormisha1586
baddy1586
dudgeon1592
measled1596
packstaff1598
roguey1598
roguish1601
contemptful1608
grovelling1608
lightly1608
disdainable1611
purulent1611
snotty-nose1622
vilipendious1630
cittern-headed1638
wormy1640
pissabed1643
triobolary1644
disparageable1648
blue-bellied1652
unestimable1656
scullion1658
piteous1667
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
snotty1681
snotty-nosed1682
mucky1683
bollocky1694
scoundrel1700
scaldeda1704
sneaking1703
ficulnean1716
unsolid1731
pitiable1753
scrubby1754
inimitable1798
scrubbish1798
worm-likea1807
small1824
lowlife1827
ketty1828
skunkish1831
yellow-bellied1833
scaly1843
cockroachya1845
wutless1853
nigger1859
trashy1862
low-down1872
cruddy1877
shitty1879
tinhorn1886
blithering1889
motherfucking1890
snidey1890
pilgarlicky1894
shitass1895
shoddy1918
yah boo1921
bitching1929
shit-faced1932
turdish1936
fricking1937
jerk-off1937
chickenshit1940
sheg-up1941
snot-nosed1941
jerky1944
mother-loving1948
scroungy1948
fecking1952
pissant1952
shit-kicking1953
shit-eating1956
bumboclaat1957
rassclaat1957
shit-headed1959
farkakte1960
shithouse1966
daggy1967
dipshit1968
scuzzy1969
bloodclaat1971
bitch ass1972
wanky1972
streelish1974
twatty1975
twattish1976
dweeby1988
douchey1991
wank1991
cockish1996
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xliii. 309 Ond eft ðæm gifrum suiðe hrædlice him willað fylgan leohtlicu weorc & unnyte [altered from unnyt; L. gulae deditos leuitas protinus operis sequitur].
OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) i. ii. 38 Þurh þæs lyðra sæd, þe..hyt grymlice geegð mid sace and wrace betwyx þissum leohtlican life.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Bodl.) (1981) l. 481 Ah nis nawt lihtliche..of þis meidenes mot.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 11v Lufe is lichtlie: and lufe is lecherous.
1608 Bp. J. King Serm. St. Maries Oxf. 13 Dauid the sonne of Isai reigned, whose person was not so lightly.
†2. Easy; (of a person) easily persuaded, inclined to do something. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective]
lightlyOE
eatha1225
easyc1380
tenderc1400
lightsome1440
rife1557
facile1559
eefe1578
problemless1911
easy-breezy1948
without tears1962
OE Ælfric Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Laud) Pref. 6 Man mæg understandan hu deop seo boc ys on gastlicum andgite, þeah þe heo mid leohtlicum [OE Claud. leohtum] wordum awriten sig.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 21 Ðenchen an us ðe bieð hier on ðese arme liue, ðar ðe wei is slider and we lihtliche to fællen.
c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) l. 1759 To seche hine is lihtlich þing, He naueþ bute one woning.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7222 Þis wijf alsua, þat þou has now, If þou ne war sua lightli to tru!
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 241 Al tymes ette they mettis, wyche bene moiste, lyghtly to defy.
†3. Contemptuous, slighting, scornful. Cf. lightly v. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > [adjective] > contemptuous
ollinga1200
hokerfula1275
scorningc1325
deignousc1330
despitousa1340
disdainousc1374
lightlya1400
scornfula1400
despiteous14..
endeignousc1400
hathlya1425
spitefulc1440
despitefula1450
fastidious?a1475
contemptuous1534
disdainfula1542
huff-nosed1542
lightliful1552
dainful1577
contemptible1594
sdeignful1596
disdained1598
contemptful1604
contemning1605
overlookinga1619
slight1632
slightinga1637
slightya1640
despisable1644
despicable1662
sneering1692
scornful1704
saucy1716
vilipendinga1722
fastidiose1730
unappreciating1833
scorny1836
high-sniffing1837
sniffy1871
sneery1872
sneerful1880
pejorativea1888
dismissive1930
sniffish1933
fuck you1962
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 28087 To men and wemmen bath i wate, þat oft i helde my lightly late.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Gouernaunce of Princis (1993) x. 75 He suld ger jnquere gyf jt be done jn playing or disporting, or othir wayis jn lychtly contempt, of ony persone, nocht jn felouny, & sa suld jt be poinyst.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 15 Ony lichtlie takine of ir quhilk men wsis to schaw.
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. l. 46211 For ȝour speiking so proude, Or lichtlie langage bayth lawage and loude.
1794 ‘T. Thrum’ Look before ye Loup: Pt. 2nd 18 The lightly way that he spoke about Religion.
4. Scottish. Of a step, gait, etc.: gentle, exerting little pressure; nimble, light-footed. Cf. lightly adv. 1a. rare.
ΚΠ
a1794 S. Blamire in Scots Mag. (1802) July 594/1 When silent time wi' lightly foot, Had trod on thirty years.
a1877 W. Chisholm Poems (1879) 20 To hae seen but a glimpse o' the lichtlie fays.
1971 K. Y. A. Bone Thistle By-blaws (new ed.) 15 Some ghaists haunt hooses, this ane haunts my hert, An' aye I harken for its lichtlie step That gars a stound gan thru' me.
†B. n.
Scottish. Contemptuous treatment; disdain, disparagement. Also: a contemptuous act, an insult. Cf. lightly v. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > [noun] > action of treating with contempt
noughtingc1225
indignationa1513
lightly1576
indignity1584
avilementa1617
nihilification1678
slight1701
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > [noun] > action of treating with contempt > an act of contempt
scornc1275
despite1297
contemption1467
contempt1502
lightly1576
indignity1584
slight1719
fuck you1943
shaft1959
1576 in W. Mackay & H. C. Boyd Rec. Inverness (1911) I. 250 That wrangusle and aganis the law he makis ewill and insufficient wark of schone, to the greit lychtlie of ws and dishonour of this burcht.
a1617 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1827) 232 The Englische ambassadour persuadit the Regent to cast him aff, be dyuers wrangis and leichtlies done to him self and his dependares.
1652 A. Johnston Diary (1919) II. 193 I found M. Ja. Walwood, at his returne from Hamilton, mightely discouraged by meeting with great disdayne and lightly even of good people.
1710 T. Ruddiman in G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneis (new ed.) Gloss. at Lichtly As good give the lightly as get it.
1883 W. D. Latto Bodkin Papers xxvi. 121 I never kent what it was to get the lichtlie mysel'.

Compounds

† lightly cheap adv. and adj. Obsolete (a) adv. cheaply; (b) adj. of little value, cheap.Cf. light cheap adv. and adj. at light adj.1 and n.2 Compounds 3.
ΚΠ
a1250 Wohunge ure Lauerd in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 273 Ah noble men and gentile and of heh burðe ofte winnen luue lihtliche cheape.
1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions i. x. 91 If (as these ill-gotten goods are lightly cheape pennyworths) you buy them onely with an intention to gratifie the true owner.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).

lightlyadj.2

Brit. /ˈlʌɪtli/, U.S. /ˈlaɪtli/, Scottish English /ˈlʌitlɪ/, /ˈlɪxtlɪ/
Forms: see light n.1 and -ly suffix1.
Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: light n.1, -ly suffix1.
Etymology: < light n.1 + -ly suffix1.Apparently re-formed in the late 15th cent. and again in the 19th cent.
rare (Scottish in later use).
Bright, shining, luminous; (of a colour) pale in hue. Sc. National Dict. (at Licht) records the word as still in use in sense ‘lightish’ in Midlothian in 1960.In quot. OE in a riddle apparently describing the moon as ‘shining air vessel’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adjective] > bright
shininga900
lighteOE
lightlyOE
sheenOE
torhtOE
shirea1000
steepa1000
shimmeringc1000
brightOE
strongOE
clear1297
fair?a1300
bright-shininga1387
merrya1393
skirea1400
lucident14..
shimc1400
staringc1400
luculentc1420
splendent1474
illuminousc1485
lucentc1500
bloominga1522
sheer1565
prelucent1568
faculent1575
splendant1578
lucid1591
neat1591
shine1596
translucent1596
well-lighted1606
nitid1615
lucible1623
dilucid1653
translucid1657
hard1660
OE Riddle 29 3 Ic wiht geseah wundorlice horna abitweonum [read hornum bitweonum] huþe lædan, lyftfæt leohtlic, listum gegierwed.
1494 W. Hilton Scala Perfeccionis (de Worde) ii. xxvii. sig. nv This hundreth folde that a soule shall haue..is noughte but the profyte of this lightly derkenes.
1873 P. Buchan Guidman o' Inglismill in Legends of North 32 His coat an' breeks war' o' a lichtly blue.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).

lightlyv.

Brit. /ˈlʌɪtli/, U.S. /ˈlaɪtli/, Scottish English /ˈlʌitlɪ/
Forms: see lightly adj.1
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: lightly adj.1
Etymology: < lightly adj.1
Chiefly Scottish.
transitive. To make light of (something); to despise, disparage, disdain; to treat (a person) with contempt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)]
forhowc900
overhowOE
withhuheOE
forhecchec1230
scorna1275
despise1297
spise13..
to set at a pease, at a pie's heel, at a pin's fee1303
to hold, have scorn at, ofc1320
to think scorn ofc1320
to set short by1377
to tell short of1377
to set naught or nought (nothing, not anything) by1390
spitea1400
contemnc1425
nought1440
overlooka1450
mainprizec1450
lightly1451
vilipendc1470
indeign1483
misprize1483
dain?1518
to look down on (also upon)1539
floccipend1548
contempta1555
to take scorn ata1566
embase1577
sdeign1590
disesteem1594
vilify1599
to set lightly, coldly1604
disrepute1611
to hold cheapa1616
avile1616
floccify1623
meprize1633
to think (also believe, etc.) meanly of1642
publican1648
naucify1653
disesteem1659
invalue1673
to set light, at light1718
sneeze1806
sniff1837
derry1896
to hold no brief for1918
1451 [implied in: 1451 in C. Innes Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis (1856) I. 163 In gret skayth..of ye said reuerend fathir and cheptur and lychtleinge disobeying and contempt of our autorite and maiestie. (at lightlying n.)].
c1480 (a1400) St. Theodora 218 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 105 Na heis [þu] þe for riches, to lichtly othyr mare or lese.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Wolf & Wether l. 2604 in Poems (1981) 96 Thay will lychtlie lordis in thair deidis.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 4 To lychtlie thame for that thay ar poore.
1608 T. Hudson tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Ivdith i. 16 in J. Sylvester Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) His house..That lightlied earth and seem'd to threat the heaven.
1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 422 We doe not lightlie pearls though gathered out of a dung-hill.
1793 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 701 Whyles ye may lightly my beauty a wee.
1814 W. Scott Waverley III. xix. 283 It's best no to lightly them that have that character. View more context for this quotation
1892 Sat. Rev. 9 Jan. 32/1 Of which trinity two at least are to be lightlied by no man.
1924 ‘O. Douglas’ Pink Sugar xxvii. 282 I'm no' lichtlying the laird. It's true what ye say, but for a' that I wadna fancy him masel.
1964 ‘R. Garioch’ in Cleft May 10 Lichtlie this gin ye daur: Here Robert Burns knelt and kissed the mool.
1987 M. R. Phillips & J. Pella Jaime MacLeod ii. vii. 58 Slaves o' believin' maisters maunna lichtlie them because they are brethren in Christ: raither, they maun sair them the better.
?2002 I. W. D. Forde Hale ir Sindries ii. v. 152 The laddies aw lichtlied him, an ane o hiz sins cryed him ‘Chukken’.

Derivatives

ˈlightlied adj.
ΚΠ
1606 A. Craig Amorose Songes sig. Hviii Would to God thou hadst rich Amaltheas horne, To yeeld what fruites thou list, though I liue lightlied and forlorne.
1818 G. Beattie John o' Arnha' (ed. 2) 19 They'd gar'd a lightliet lover greet.
1857 Sc. Gardener 6 97 We are not knight-errants; it is not our business to champion ‘lightlied’ maidens.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).

lightlyadv.

Brit. /ˈlʌɪtli/, U.S. /ˈlaɪtli/
Forms: see light adj.1 and n.2 and -ly suffix2; also Middle English lichliche, Middle English lighteli, Middle English liȝtliliche (transmission error), Middle English liȝtyliche, Middle English lijȝthtliche, late Middle English leghlie (transmission error), late Middle English lighli (transmission error), late Middle English lighly (transmission error); also comparative: early Old English leohtlecor, Old English leohtlicor, Middle English leyȝtlocure, Middle English lightloker, Middle English liȝtloker, Middle English lihtloker, Middle English lihtluker, Middle English lyghtloker, Middle English lyȝtlokoure, Middle English lythtloker.
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: Cognate with or formed similarly to Old Frisian lichtelīke , Middle Low German lichteliken , Old High German līhtlīhho (Middle High German līhtelīche , German (now archaic and rare) leichtlich ), Old Icelandic létliga , léttiliga , Old Swedish lätteligha , lättelika (Swedish lätteligen ), Old Danish lettelighæ , lætælyghæ , lættælic , lætlic (Danish lettelig ) < the Germanic base of light adj.1 + the Germanic base of -ly suffix2. Compare light adv.1 and also lightly adj.1With sense 5b compare Middle Dutch wellichte, waellichte (Dutch wellicht), Middle Low German villichte, Middle High German vil līhte (German vielleicht), all in the sense ‘perhaps’, originally a phrase meaning ‘very easily’.
1.
a. With little weight; with little pressure, force, or violence; not strongly; with a gentle action. Also figurative, esp. in to tread lightly: to act cautiously or moderately.For figurative use see also to sit lightly at sit v. Phrases 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > lightness > [adverb]
lightlyeOE
light1484
the world > movement > bodily movement > [adverb] > agilely or nimbly
lighteOE
lightly?a1200
wightlyc1330
deliverlya1375
swipperly?a1400
wakerly?a1400
wighta1400
yaplya1400
featlyc1400
nimblyc1450
lightsomely1561
nimble1568
wimbly1594
yarelya1616
yare1622
featilya1640
agilely1663
cleverly1686
spry1855
lissomely1902
spryly1905
cattishly1913
eOE Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) iii. ii. 308 Gnid to duste & do on þa eagan, þweah leohtlice mid wylle wætre.
?a1200 (?OE) Peri Didaxeon (1896) 23 Þus þu hine scealt lacnian..: nim þanne godre butere tweȝen sticcan fulle and anne sticcan fulne huniȝes and wyll togadere and læt hine swelȝan þa sealfe leohtlice.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 32 Seche ich..up-on ham..Lihtliche on alre earest, wið luueliche lates, wið steape bihaldunge eiðer on oðer.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29419 If clerkes..Smites oþer lightli in gamen.
?1504 S. Hawes Example of Vertu sig. ff.iii Come on she sayd and walke on lyghtly.
1656 A. Cowley Davideis i. 18 in Poems Some [Letters] cut in wood, some lightlier traced on slates.
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 208 Try how the Centers are pitcht, by Treading the Treddle lightly down.
1747 J. Wesley Primitive Physick 59 Boil very lightly one spoonful of white Copperas scrap'd.
1772 C. Bowles Draughtsmen's Assistant iii. 7 Sketch the whole very lightly with your Pencil or Charcoal.
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms ii. 452 So lightly doth this little boat Upon the scarce-touch'd billows float.
1874 J. A. Symonds Sketches Italy & Greece (1898) I. ix. 182 Crimes of bloodshed..sat lightly on the adventurer's conscience.
1886 B. Nye Remarks 83 Her hand resting lightly on my arm.
1933 Pop. Mech. Nov. 776/1 Put a hose clamp around the cap, and tap it lightly while the clamp is being tightened.
1992 New Republic 1 June 11/1 Since it's not traditional Republican turf, Bush should tread lightly, offering disaster relief, then changing the subject.
2015 A. Bruce tr. A. Holt Dead Joker 208 She..ran her fingers lightly over the leather seat.
b. Mildly, leniently; not severely, harshly, or rigorously; gently. In early use also: †painlessly, without suffering harm or injury (obsolete).Cf. to let (a person) off lightly at Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > [adverb]
lightlyeOE
remissively1537
unoppressively1656
with a loose rein1775
laxly1839
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [adverb] > softly or gently
lightlyeOE
fairlyOE
handsomely1530
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently
lightlyeOE
neshlyeOE
fairOE
neshc1175
softlyc1225
softa1325
hoolya1340
tenderlyc1385
soft and fair(ly)c1391
weakly1398
delicately?a1425
prettilyc1500
gently1533
gentle1548
breathingly1662
blandly1827
sparingly1863
piano1873
gauzily1903
creamily1948
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xxiv. 179 Ða weras mon sceal hefiglecor & stiðlecor læran, & ða wif leohtlecor.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) l. 970 Ne schaltu nower neh so lihtliche etsterten, ah stre[n]gre þu schalt þolien.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 6 Þe ilke þet zuereþ zoþ be his wytinde and alneway uor naȝt..naȝt kueadliche ake liȝtliche and wyþ-oute sclondre: zuereþ liȝtliche.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 219 (MED) Þei schulde liȝtliche [L. leniter] be i-lad by an esy duke.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lv. 81 Whiche caused the deuyll fyrst to tempte them lyghtlyer.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. ix. 1 At the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun. View more context for this quotation
1836 J. Fawcett Acct. Resid. Cape of Good Hope 31 We have been chastised lightly; but, if we harden our hearts, the chastisement will be greater.
1938 C. R. Zahniser Soul Doctor x. 193 He was sure the girl intended no wrong, and should be, at most, lightly punished.
2000 D. Coates Models of Capitalism (2006) iii. viii. 253 There is no avoiding the fact that if markets are only lightly regulated, private capital remains unconstrained and labour remains unprotected.
c. Superficially; cursorily; without depth or thoroughness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [adverb] > without thoroughness or exactness
lightlyOE
overly1440
superficially1526
slovenly1548
glancingly1556
overrunningly1561
cursorily1565
perfunctorily1581
sloven-like1589
cursoriwise1598
perfunctoriously1609
slubberingly1622
cursitorily1628
skimmingly1847
unscrutinizingly1891
sloppily1898
OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) i. ii. 36 Þeah we wace syn and þas þing leohtlice unwreon, hig magon fremian bet.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 2 Chron. Prol. l. 43 Þe stories, ouþer þat ben laft in þer placis ouþer liȝtli towched: heer bi sum maner schort sentences of woordis ben opened.
1555 R. Sherry Treat. Figures Gram. & Rhetorike f. xlv The description of a thyng, when not content, lightly and briefly to haue shewed it, we so set it before the Readers eyes, that it semeth not to be told, but to be done.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. B2v As for the third point, it deserueth to be a little stood vpon, and not to be lightly passed ouer.
a1748 I. Watts Improvem. Mind ii. viii, in Coll. Wks. (1753) V. 357 They skim lightly over the arguments.
1818 J. W. Croker Let. 13 July in Croker Papers (1884) I. 114 I must now mention to you..what I have heretofore touched lightly upon.
1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect Long Life II. 333 The fact must not be passed too lightly over.
1977 J. March Adv. Org. Chem. (ed. 2) Pref. p. xi I have treated lightly, or not at all, the major special areas of organic chemistry.
2. With reference to sleep: not deeply or soundly; so as to be easy to wake.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > [adverb] > for a short time or lightly
lightlyOE
at noddy1667
adoze1837
noddingly1872
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) i. x. 85 He dyde gelice þon swylce he swyðe leohtlice slepe [L. leuiter dormiens].
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 52v (MED) His pous is hard & strong aboute þe templis; he slepiþ liȝtly.
1761 tr. J. J. Rousseau Disc. upon Origin & Found. Inequality i. 32 Surrounded with Danger, Savage Man must be fond of Sleep, and sleep lightly like other Animals.
1852 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 207 I sleep lightly enough for such emergency.
1936 Amarillo (Texas) Sunday News-Globe 26 Jan. 4/6 He had been napping lightly for some little time, when he heard a whir of stout wings.
2017 Orange County (Calif.) Reg. (Nexis) 17 Feb. I suppose we are wired this way, to sleep lightly so we can hear our children cry.
3. Thinly, sparsely; not abundantly; in a small quantity; with a small amount.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb]
lightlyeOE
softlya1450
sparingly1555
eOE Bald's Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) i. ii. 36 Awringe þa wyrta swiðe clæne, gedo pipor on & geswet swiþe leohtlice mid hunige.
a1450 ( in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 55 (MED) A kyng wiþoute rent Myȝt liȝtly trussen his tresour.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost i. ii. 144 They are but lightly rewarded. View more context for this quotation
1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 73 in Sylva You may sow Anemony seeds..lightly cover'd with fit mould in Cases.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Christian Morals (1716) i. 9 Persons lightly dipt, not grain'd in generous Honesty.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 329 I fear me this traveller hath dined but lightly.
1830 C. Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 204 Moulds..rubbed lightly over with a solution of soap.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 23 They are lightly clad in summer while at their work.
1921 National Baker July 74/1 Dust the boards lightly with aniseed.
1998 N. Lawson How to Eat (1999) 331 Using a pastry brush or just your fingers, dip in oil and lightly cover each side of each slice of bread.
4.
a. To a small extent or degree; slightly, moderately, a little.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > to a small extent or slightly
lightlyeOE
liteOE
littleOE
a litec1290
smallc1300
softc1390
smally?a1425
slenderlya1513
hoverly1549
remissly1557
slender1581
not half1583
faintly1590
slightly1594
lankly1611
lowly1655
slight1671
nicely1698
weakly1775
sparingly1796
jimply1816
feebly1830
slightually1859
marginally1960
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iv. xii. 290 Swa swa heo leohtlice gebylged wære [L. quasi leuiter indignata].
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) ii. met. v. l. 1326 Þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken her hunger as [read at] euene wiþ acornes of okes.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 241 (MED) He spak vnto a monk þat was bod lightlie letterd.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. iii. 45 They loue his grace but lightly . View more context for this quotation
a1627 A. Craig Pilgrime & Heremite (1631) sig. A3v For hee that loues lightliest, Bee sure hee shall speede best.
1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (xliii. Paraphr.) 227 The Forty third Psalm is exactly of the same mournfull subject..with the former, but perhaps lightly varied from thence.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 62 While yet the Head is green, or lightly swell'd With Milky-moisture. View more context for this quotation
1799 A. Crocker Art Making & Managing Cyder 8 White-Sour. Small, of a yellow ground lightly tinged towards the nose with a light brown.
1811 R. Parkinson Gen. View Agric. County of Huntingdon 254 They [sc. sheep] are lightly affected by the scab..but by no means so much affected by it, as in itself to be injurious.
1937 X. M. Boulestin Finer Cooking (Recipes) 18 Sprinkle with grated cheese, brown lightly and serve.
2014 J. Webb I Heard my Country Calling (2015) x. 265 The second platoon commander had been lightly wounded less than two weeks before.
b. So as to have a mild effect on the senses; (with reference to flavour, aroma, etc.) delicately, subtly; (with reference to sounds, etc.) softly, quietly.
ΚΠ
1672 H. Chamberlen tr. F. Mauriceau Dis. Women with Child iii. xxxiv. 427 Wrap the Infant in a bed lightly perfumed with Mercury.
1745 Remarks Plan New London Pharmacopœia 320 This proportion will but lightly flavour the water, which is intended only as an agreeable diluter.
1780 Lett. & Papers on Agric. (Bath & West of Eng. Soc.) I. 222 Its taste is rather acrid..; its smell is lightly aromatic.
1894 Harper's Bazar 6 Oct. (Suppl.) 809/1 In the sunset twinkling Of the evening star, Hear I waters tinkling Lightly from afar.
1981 R. Lawrence Zoo that never Was (1991) ix. 203 The night was totally quiet; the coals snickled and crackled lightly, the sound of my breathing was easily audible.
1992 Country Homes & Interiors Apr. 116/3 A mouthwatering portion of foie gras, very lightly scented with thyme.
2001 Nat. Health Oct. 50/1 This blend is lightly flavoured with oranges, lemons and bergamot.
5.
a. Easily, readily; without difficulty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] > without difficulty or delay
lightlyOE
skeetc1175
readya1325
areadilya1375
redelya1375
readilyc1390
goodlyc1405
willingly1577
slightly1594
pliantly1673
OE Ælfric Old Test. Summary: Judith (Otho) in B. Assmann Angelsächsische Homilien u. Heiligenleben (1889) 115 Sume nunan..tellað to lytlum gylde [read gylte], þæt hi hi forlicgon and þæt hi leohtlice magon swa lytel gebetan.
OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) ii. iii. 120 We woldon þæt iunge men mihton þe leohtlicor þæt Lyden ongitan.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 186 Euch an to twimed lichtluker tobersteð.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 183 Huo þet heþ grat loue of god..he ouercomþ liȝtyliche þise laste viȝt.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. l. 2776 (MED) Whil ther is oyle forto fyre, The lampe is lyhtly set afyre.
a1500 Eng. Conquest Ireland (Rawl.) (1896) 29 Thay..sayd, that ‘lyghtly that myght be done, yf he wolde make come more Plente of Englysh-men into the londe.’
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. lxix. 103 A man shall not lightly finde it in this countrey.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xvii. 53 As we see them play away a piece of Damask at one cast at die, as those that come lightly by them.
1740 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 20 Oct. (1932) (modernized text) II. 427 Credulous people believe lightly whatever they hear.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian viii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 208 That's lightly said, but no sae lightly credited.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise I. ii. 458 As fair was he As any king's son you might lightly see.
1909 K. Horn Ships of Desire xi. 219 ‘You will soon forget,’ she said harshly... But she ignored the fact that women such as Clover do not lightly forget, because love is their life.
2020 A. Warwick-Ching Stolen Heritage (e-book ed.) i This industrial eminence was not lightly achieved. It was hard won, over centuries.
†b. As may easily happen; probably, perhaps. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb]
welleOE
lightly1395
likely1395
likinglyc1395
by (also of) likeliheadc1405
by (also of) likelinessc1405
by all (also most) likelihood1427
provably1460
of (all) likelihood1491
belike?1531
like1548
belikelya1551
in (all) likelihood1570
probably1600
by (also in) probabilitya1602
in (also by) all probability1617
presumably1658
prob.1730
nigh hand1848
predictably1914
prolly1922
odds-on1976
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [adverb] > perhaps
is wenc897
wen isc897
peradventurec1300
peradventurec1325
perchancec1350
uphapa1375
percasea1393
lightly1395
in casea1398
maybea1400
may chancea1400
may-falla1400
may-fortunea1400
may-tidea1400
perhapa1464
happen1487
perhapsc1520
percase1523
ablea1525
by chance1526
mayhap1533
fortunea1535
belikelya1551
haps1570
mayhappen1577
perhappen1578
possibly1600
not impossibly1667
ables1673
aunters1673
aiblins1720
p'rapsa1745
aunterens1825
mebbe1825
yes-no1898
yimkin1925
ja-nee1937
Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 82 If he hadde be vnable, lightli the cronicle favorable to this Innocent hadde not holde this stille.
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 88 Lyȝtly when I am lest he letes me alone.
1493 Chastysing Goddes Chyldern (de Worde) To Rdr. sig. *2v/2 Some other maters that lightly wyll falle to purpose.
1613 T. Adams White Deuil 15 Lightly there is one Iudas in the congregation to crie..why is this waste?
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 105 There happens lightly some ugly little contrary accident.
1711 R. Steele et al. Lucubrations Isaac Bickerstaff (rev. ed.) IV. 2 It may lightly come to pass, that before thou art many Years nearer to thy Dissolution, thou mayst behold him sitting on a high Place whom thou now laughest to Scorn.
†c. As is likely or inclined to happen; commonly, often. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [adverb]
unseldea950
oftOE
thickOE
ylomeOE
oftsithec1175
oftsithesc1175
lomec1200
oftlya1225
oft-stounds1303
continuallyc1305
oftena1325
rifely1357
oft-timesc1384
oft-timec1387
oftentimesa1393
oftentimec1395
fele-sitha1400
lightlya1400
oftentide?a1400
rifea1400
seresitha1400
many a foldc1400
often sithec1405
hauntinglyc1440
by many a foldc1450
fele-syss1489
frequently1531
feltymesc1540
oftens1567
oftenly1574
frequent1614
repeatedlya1647
(as) often as not1723
more often (or oftener) than not1723
not uncommonly1747
not infrequently1779
(at) every whip-stitch1824
oftenwhilesa1850
at short intervals1859
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 12 He þat haþ an hoot complexioun, & a moist, may liȝtly [?a1450 BL Add. lyȝtliche] haue an hoot enpostym.
a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 1 (MED) Richessis ben perilouse, for liȝtli wole a riche man use hem unto moche lust.
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) v. xi. sig. gviiv A beest stryken in þe place of þe temples, dethe lyghtly folowyth [a1398 BL Add. deieþ liȝtliche].
1535 in Lett. Royal & Illustrious Ladies (1846) II. 150 He goes to market lightly, one week with another, three times a-week.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 219 The beddes heade which lightly is the appointed place for all mens purses.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 75 When he goeth abroad—which is lightly every other Friday.
1637 R. Humfrey tr. St. Ambrose Christian Offices i. 44 Where there is leannes, there lightly is pensivenes.
1676 W. Allen Serious & Friendly Addr. Non-conformists 20 Men should not..think to find out better methods than he [sc. God] hath pitcht upon, for the promoting his ends... But when they do, they lightly do in the total..but frustrate and disappoint those ends.
6. (a) With indifference or unconcern; carelessly, thoughtlessly, indifferently. (b) Depreciatively, slightingly.See also not to be taken lightly at Phrases 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [adverb]
recklesslyeOE
lighteOE
yemeleslichec1000
lightlyOE
recklessa1450
slightlya1557
uncaredly?1590
wretchlessly?16..
incuriously1603
uncarefully1655
carelessly1667
slightily1679
slapdash1680
lashly1691
cavalierly1718
negligent1738
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > [adverb] > contemptuously
lightlyOE
scornlichec1300
despitouslyc1320
hokerfullyc1330
scornfullyc1380
despisantly1389
deignouslyc1440
scorninglyc1440
contemningly1471
a-scornc1485
disdaininglyc1485
despiteouslya1500
disdainouslya1513
disdainishly?1529
a-swash1530
contemptuously1530
disdainfullya1533
despitefully1535
disdainedly1535
contemptibly1577
snuffingly1577
floutingly1580
despisingly1591
slightly1601
indignantly1602
contemptedly1605
overly1610
slightfully1627
despicably1637
slightingly1654
contemnibly1702
sneeringly1711
slightily1740
snottily1864
sniffingly1873
sufficiently1893
sniffily1902
pooh-poohingly1903
dismissively1922
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [adverb] > carelessly or thoughtlessly
lightlyOE
inconsideratelyc1460
unconsiderately1570
inconsiderablya1646
incogitantly1648
thoughtlessly1706
uncannily1825
facilely1845
uncalculatingly1852
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.iv) anno 1076 Se kyngc let lihtlice of oð þæt he com to Englalande, & hine let syððan tacan.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) l. 438 In his hali nome ich schal leten lihtlich of al þet ȝe cunnen kasten aȝein me.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1218 Ghe bi-mente hire to abraham, And sumdel ligtlike he it nam.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. v. l. 168 The kynge..lourede vp-on men of lawe and lightliche seide.
a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 301 (MED) Sum [monks and nuns]..er in order fals, Þat lightli leues al heuy thing And folous euer þair flessh likyng.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cvi. 11 They..but lightly regarded the councell of the most hyest.
1587 R. Holinshed et al. Hist. Scotl. (new ed.) 273/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Offended..that such wandering theeues should so lightlie dare to contemne his power.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. ii. 30 They that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed. View more context for this quotation
1746 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs 9 Seriousness and Devotion becometh this House for ever. May I never enter it lightly or irreverently.
1832 H. Martineau Demerara i. 11 Her sister stared to hear her speak so lightly of being whipped.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 419 The Judges treated this argument very lightly.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 702 Thinking lightly of the possession of gold.
1945 New Europe Jan. 4/1 Those super-realist politicians who tend at the present time to treat lightly the affairs of the smaller or weaker nations.
1990 Sports Illustr. 21 May 42/1 Pros don't take lightly amateurs winning races off them.
2004 Houston Chron. (Nexis) 18 Sept. b1 It's a huge issue for them and one not to be dismissed lightly or poo-pooed.
7.
a. Without careful or serious consideration; without good reason or cause. Now chiefly in negative constructions.
ΚΠ
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.i) anno 1009 Ferde se cyning him ham & þa ealdormen..& forleton þa scipo ðus leohtlice.
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 216 Ne beo ȝe neauer longe ne lihtliche of sum þing allunges idel.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. viii. l. 302 He wolde..loure on me and lyghtliche chide and seye ich loue anoþere.
c1450 (?a1400) Sege Melayne (1880) l. 212 Lyghtly walde þey it [sc. the city] noghte ȝelde.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. iii. D Stryue not lightly wt eny man, where as he hath done ye no harme.
1683 N. Marsh Let. 17 Feb. in R. Boyle Corr. (2001) V. 387 The Translation I conceiv ought not lightly to be alter'd, but where it is faulty; out of respect to the Author of it.
1751 Affecting Narr. H.M.S. Wager 9 An Asylum that must not lightly be violated.
1790 E. Burke Corr. (1844) III. 177 These are opinions I have not lightly formed, or that I can lightly quit.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xv. 555 He was not a prince against whom men lightly venture to set up a standard of rebellion.
1883 Manch. Examiner 17 Dec. 5/1 A warning to judges not lightly to send such suits to be retried.
1964 Calif. Garden Apr. 19/3 This trip is not to be undertaken lightly if you are not used to back-road driving.
2018 Chronicle (Canberra) (Nexis) 14 Aug. 22 Selling the family home and relocating is a major financial decision that should not be taken lightly.
b. colloquial. In various phrases with negative constructions which emphasize the speaker's earnestness or seriousness, as I don't say this lightly, I don't use that word lightly, etc.
ΚΠ
1807 Morning Chron. 14 Feb. He did not say this lightly; and he took the liberty of adverting to it in order to enable the House to judge whether this Petition was presented from party motives.
1820 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 10 Feb. I, for one, will choose the former. I do not say this lightly; I am aware that the idea is a dreadful one.
1894 Theatre Mar. 160 Her genius—we do not use the word lightly—declared itself in her childhood.
1964 W. Marsh in N. Amer. Rev. Autumn 36/2 I don't say this lightly, but before I see her in miscegenation I'll see her in her grave.
1994 This Mag. (Toronto) Nov. 23/1 When they weren't treated like gods, of course, they went apeshit. I'm not using that term lightly.
2008 Independent on Sunday 11 May 4/6 I really do think the Army is heading for the rocks and I don't say this lightly.
8. Cheerfully, happily, merrily; without sadness; in a light-hearted mood. In later use also: breezily, in a lively manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adverb] > light-heartedly
lightlyc1225
carelessly1561
lightsomely1561
light-heartedly?1574
rakishly1700
jauntily1828
jauntingly1839
breezily1935
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) l. 718 Hire leofliche lich liðerede al o blode, ant heo hit lihtliche aber.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1012 Who looketh lightly now but Palamoun.
a1425 (?a1400) Bk. Priue Counseling in P. Hodgson Cloud of Unknowing (1944) 136 (MED) Loke up þan liȝtly & sey to þi Lorde, [etc.].
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 521 ‘It is lyke’, said Schir Rolland, and lichtly he leuch.
1596 J. Harington New Disc. Aiax Advt. to Rdr. sig. Bvjv The first begins grauely, and ends lightly.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xv. 136 Bid that welcome Which comes to punish vs, and we punish it Seeming to beare it lightly . View more context for this quotation
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 497 Try to bear lightly what must needs be.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon II. 313 The old man..chatted lightly with Basil.
1928 M. Arlen Lily Christine xiii. 240 ‘All this trouble your silly husband has brought on you!’ ‘Oh, we'll survive that,’ she said lightly.
2007 P. Gale Notes from Exhib. (2008) 112 She affected to read the Film Society brochure then asked him lightly, ‘So Troy Youngs, right?’
9. With easy movement, nimbly, effortlessly, gracefully. †In early use: quickly, swiftly; immediately, at once (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adverb]
yeverlyeOE
cofeOE
snellya1000
whatlichea1000
swiftlyc1000
yernea1023
skeetc1175
swithc1175
whatec1175
lightly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
swithc1275
fastc1300
quickc1300
titec1300
quicklya1325
rada1325
snellc1330
titelyc1330
swithly?1370
hastlya1375
ketlya1375
ketec1380
speedlyc1380
speedfully1398
keenlya1400
skeetlya1400
speedilya1400
swiftc1400
yederlyc1400
apacea1423
rasha1475
runninglyc1475
speedful?c1480
rackly?a1500
rashly1533
stiffly1535
roundly1548
post1549
fleet1587
fleetly1598
speedy1601
raptly1646
fastisha1650
wingedly1651
rapidly1653
rapid1677
velociously1680
express1765
quicklike1782
spankingly1803
spankily1842
fleetingly1883
quick-foot1891
on the quick-foot1894
zippily1924
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 51 Þe arewen of þe licht echnen..fleoð lichtliche forð.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) l. 277 Liȝtlike ȝe lepeð up.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 151 Þe holy gost be þise yefþe tekþ liȝtliche and makeþ man lyerni ordeneliche.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 853 Lyȝtly he rysez, And bowez forth fro þe bench into þe brode ȝates.
a1450 Generides (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) l. 2245 Lightlie she did hir redie make.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 251 Fayre lordes, now lightly on horsback.
?1515 Hyckescorner (de Worde) sig. B.iiii When you them mete lyghtly them arest.
a1547 R. Copland tr. Knight of Swanne (?c1560) xxiv. sig. K.iv I pray you my lord & my lady that ye will lightly come... And incontinent the kynge and ye queene descended.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 75 Which said, he lightly vaulting off his saddle, drew out his sword.
1797 H. Lee Canterbury Tales I. 205 [He] lightly sprung over the fence by which they were separated.
1876 L. D. Schmitz tr. H. Ulrici Shakespeare's Dramatic Art II. v. iii. 71 A merry wanton child which..skips along lightly amid the dance of its companions.
1934 A. Stokes Classical Ballet in R. Copeland & M. Cohen What is Dance? (1983) iv. 246 In the allegro, ballet dancers..move lightly and fast.
1959 F. Bruno Hellbuster ii. 14 Three heavily-built well-moko'd Maoris..climbed lightly up the ship's ladder.
2005 G. M. Flynn Currach Race & Other Stories v. 35 He threw the bike against the fence and vaulted over lightly into the meadow.
†10. Promiscuously, lustfully, unchastely. Cf. light adj.1 22b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [adverb]
follyc1225
unchastely1340
follilyc1400
whorishly1538
incontinently1552
uncontinently1565
lightlya1745
sluttishly1952
a1745 J. Swift Story Injured Lady (1746) 10 If I were lightly disposed, I could still perhaps have Offers, that some, who hold their Heads higher, would be glad to accept.

Phrases

P1. Proverbs.
†a. a full womb speaks lightly of hunger and variants: people are complacent about the prospect of hunger (or other difficulties) so long as their immediate needs are being met. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Lamb.) l. 145 in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 169 Ful wombe mei lihtliche speken of hunger and of festen.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 49 (MED) Þe fulle womb disputiþ litly of fastyng.
†b. lightly got, lightly spent and variants: money acquired without effort or difficulty is often spent casually or wastefully. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 453 And lightly as it cometh, so wol we spende.
1576 G. Whetstone Ortchard of Repentance 52 in Rocke of Regard Monie lightly wonn, is as lightly spent.
1899 W. Besant Orange Girl ii. iv. 162 Lightly got, lightly spent.
c. lightly come, lightly go and variants: what is acquired without effort or difficulty is often as easily lost, or may be abandoned without regret; cf. easy come, easy go at easy adj., adv., and n. Additions.
ΚΠ
?a1475 in Ld. Clermont Wks. J. Fortescue (1869) I. 489 Thyng that lightly cometh, lightly goeth.
1624 R. Sanderson Serm. I. 251 The ding-thrift's proverb is, ‘Lightly come, lightly go’.
1833 New Monthly Mag. 38 192 ‘Lightly come, lightly go,’ is his maxim.
1938 News (Adelaide) 14 Mar. 5/2 The fellow..has no more idea of monetary values than a monkey in the zoo. It's all the same to him—lightly come, lightly go.
P2. to get off lightly (also to come off lightly): to avoid or evade serious punishment or consequences; to escape without serious injury or damage. Similarly to let (a person) off lightly.Cf. to get off 4b at get v. Phrasal verbs 1; to come off 6b at come v. Phrasal verbs 1; to let off 3 at let v.1 Phrasal verbs.
ΚΠ
1715 C. Owen Plain Reasons i. ix. 18 Little Crimes are sometimes punished heavily, as not wearing of the Surplice; and great ones come off lightly, or, it may be, are never enquired into.
1770 Appeal to Public on Behalf S. Vaughan 77 That man, it seems, was let off lightly, and with little punishment, upon two grounds.
1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxvi. 408 The leaders of the insurrection got off much more lightly than their followers.
1943 Signalman's Jrnl. Jan. 27/1 The United States got off lightly in the first World War.
2015 Bournemouth Echo (Nexis) 30 Mar. The cyclist received very minor injuries... He was very lucky he came off lightly.
P3. not to be taken lightly and variants: not to be regarded as insignificant or unimportant; not to be underestimated; cf. sense 6.
ΚΠ
1840 Crisis (Richmond, Va.) 30 May 103/1 Whatever was announced in that journal..is not to be taken lightly, as evidence of the political opinions and classification of men.
1888 Art Amateur Nov. 122/2 The difference from an amateur's point of view is, of course, considerable, and financially it is not to be taken lightly.
1941 Pulse (N.Y. Hosp.) Christmas 4/2 The education of a nurse is not a task to be taken lightly.
1989 Oxf. Times Sept. (Limited Edition Suppl.) 11/3 The marathon itself (just over 26 miles) is..not to be taken lightly.
2018 Dorset Echo (Nexis) 1 Oct. People need to appreciate that an animal taken into their home is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
P4. to wear one's learning lightly and variants: to be unpretentious or self-effacing about one's knowledge, expertise, or intellectual achievements.After the poem In Memoriam by Tennyson (see quot. 1850), originally and in early use frequently in fuller form to wear the weight of learning lightly like a flower and variants.
ΚΠ
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam Epil. 205 Thou art..liberal-minded, great, Consistent; wearing all that weight Of learning lightly like a flower.
1859 F. W. Farrar Julian Home xxxii. 423 Of all the men of his year, he was the most honoured and respected; he wore the weight both of his honours and his learning ‘lightly like a flower’.
1875 United Presbyterian Mag. Apr. 180/1 Dr. Meyer carries his learning lightly, and you are pleased with the ease and grace and point of his remarks, as well as with his abundant learning.
1990 A. Stevens On Jung ix. 190 He wore his vast erudition lightly, and people who met him were impressed as much by his simplicity, humour and courtesy as they were by his wisdom.
2018 Guardian (Nexis) 14 May Already an expert in the field, she wore her learning lightly... She combined penetrating questions with a compassion for the patients.

Compounds

Combining (in various senses) with adjectives and participles to form adjectives, as in lightly armed, lightly built, lightly fried, etc.
ΚΠ
a1500 Let. Alexander l. 153 in Mediaeval Stud. (1979) 41 123 (MED) I sent cc knyghtis, lightly armed swymmers of the Macedoynes, to swymme þe compas aboute.
1687 London Gaz. No. 2274/4 Lost..a dark grey Gelding..lightly handled.
1798 W. Sotheby tr. C. M. Wieland Oberon iii. xviii. 76 And clasp'd her lightly-shaded breast beneath.
1863 T. Woolner My Beautiful Lady 39 Her beauty walks in happier grace Than lightly-moving fawns.
1883 A. Thomas Mod. Housewife 53 Butter a flat dish and put a layer of lightly-fried bread-crumbs.
1968 I. W. Cornwall Prehistoric Animals & their Hunters vi. 131 The cheetah is a long-legged, lightly-built larger cat.
2018 Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Nexis) 20 July 7 Knead the dough on a lightly-floured surface for five minutes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1n.eOEadj.2OEv.1451adv.eOE
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