† liten.1
Obsolete.
Delay, tardiness; frequent in without lite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
a1350 St. Cecilia 353 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 163 And at þe last withouten lite All þaire heuides he gert of smite.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5790 Þar-to sal be now na lang lite.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4776 Iacob wen he was mast in sijt God lighted him, wit-outen lijt.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 1620 So lang gaf sho him respite, And thus he haves hir led with lite.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ix. 91 Fast for to fle outt of my land, Byd thaym withouten lyte.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
liten.2
/lʌɪt/, U.S. /laɪt/, Scottish English /lʌit/ Scottish and English regional (northern).† 2. A bishop elect; = elite n.1 Obsolete.
1.
a. In singular and plural. A list of people designated as eligible for an official position. Esp. with prepositions, as at lites, in lite, in lites, etc. Cf. leet n.3 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > [noun] > offering oneself as candidate > one who > eligibility > list of eligible candidates
lite1441
leet1612
1441 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 7 Quhasaeuer that happynnis to be put furth at lites to be chosin alderman.
a1547 in J. R. Boyle Early Hist. Town & Port of Hedon (1895) App. p. lxvi The maior and crowner, with the other of his cowncell, shall nayme two men to be that daye in liet of the mayre, and iiijor men to be in liet as baylyffis. And when suche lyetts are writtyne, the sayd mayre or crowner shall fyrst tell to the towne clerke, and cawsse hym writte, whiche of them as is in lyet shalbe chosyn the mayre by hyme, and so the bayllyffys.
1613 Bp. W. Cowper Let. 28 Nov. in Dikaiologie (1614) 180 You will not finde any Bishop of Scotland whom the general Assemblie hath not first nominated and giuen vp in lytes to that effect.
1638 R. Baillie Lett. & Jrnls. (1841) I. 125 The Moderator for the time offered to my Lord Commissioner a lite, whereupon voices might passe for the election of a new Moderator.
1711 in R. Renwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Glasgow (1908) IV. 463 The said provost and baillies do lite the merchant rank in four lites, and..each of the said four lites are severally voted and one chosen out of each of them, and the said four persons so chosen being removed and divyded in tuo lites, and the said tuo lites being severally voted, there are tuo persons chosen out of the same, and which tuo persons are put in one lite and the same put to the vote which of them shall be chosen as provost.
1990 Times (Nexis) 15 Mar. The Queen pricked the following names of High Sheriffs within the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster on the Lites yesterday.
b. In plural. The candidates forming a lite (sense 1a). Cf. leet n.3 1. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > election of representative body by vote > [noun] > list of candidates
lites1533
ticket1711
party ticket1800
slate1842
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1903) II. App. i. 310 (note) Candidatis war callit new litis afor þare election to ony office or dignite.
1552 in J. D. Marwick Rec. Convent. Royal Burghs Scotl. (1870) I. 3 Quhilk new counsale and auld counsale to convene on Fryday..and cheis the litis to the offices... It is of..auld vse, that the provest than present, the dene of gild, and thesaurare ar litis to that samin office for the zeir to cum.
1583 in W. Maitland Hist. Edinb. (1753) 232 To proceid to the cheising of the Lytts to the Magistratts and Officemen.
1785 Hist. & Antiq. York II. 24 The Commons present, upon their Oaths..four fit, able, and discreet Citizens as Lights, out of whom they..elect two.
1833 Rep. Select Comm. Munic. Corporations 305 The chamberlains [of Hull]..are chosen by the burgesses out of four lights.
1925 Times Lit. Suppl. 13 Aug. 533/1 Lists of gentlemen suggested as fit and proper persons to be sheriffs... I have recently received such lists... The Yorkshire list was endorsed ‘Lites’, a word which aroused my curiosity.
1969 K. J. Allison Victoria Hist. County of York, East Riding I. 194 The choice of the burgesses was always confined to the two candidates, or ‘lites’, nominated by the bench.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > bishop > kinds of bishop > [noun] > bishop-elect
lite1497
bishop-designate1751
bishop-elect1845
1497 A. Halyburton Ledger (1867) 83 Johne Fressall, factor to Master John Fressall, lyit of Roys.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) vii. l. 741 He stude as lyte twa ȝhere oure, And bischope thretty ȝhere and foure.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
† liten.3
Scottish. Obsolete. rare.
Strife.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > quarrel or quarrelling > [noun]
sakea1000
chestc1000
pleac1275
threapa1300
noisec1300
checkc1330
debate1340
chopping1377
controversyc1384
briguea1398
tuilyieing1444
quarrellingc1460
lite1493
frayinga1500
falling out1539
square1545
overthwarting1552
mutiny1567
squaring1579
debatement1590
swaggeringa1596
quarrel1605
simultation1605
warbling1632
barrating1635
throwing1897
1493 Sc. Acts Jas. IV (1814) II. 232/2 Exhorting and praying þame to leif þair contentiounnis, litis and pleyis.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
liten.4adj.1adv.
Obsolete exc. archaic or dialect.
A. n.4
1.
a. Little, not much. unto lite: very nearly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > only a little
litea1000
littleOE
smalla1393
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > almost or nearly
nigheOE
well-nigheOE
forneanc1000
well-nearc1175
almostc1261
nighwhatc1300
nearhandc1350
nigh handa1375
nigh handsa1375
as good asc1390
into (right) littlea1413
unto litea1420
nigh byc1430
nearbyc1485
near handsa1500
as near as1517
mosta1538
next door1542
wellmost1548
all but1590
anewst1590
uneath1590
next to1611
nearlya1616
thereaboutsa1616
welly1615
thereabout1664
within (an) ames-ace ofa1670
anear1675
pretty much1682
three parts1711
newsta1728
only not1779
partly1781
in all but name1824
just about1836
nentes1854
near1855
nar1859
just1860
not-quite1870
nearabouta1878
effectively1884
nigh on1887
a1000 Runes (Gr.) 22 Wen ne bruceþ, ðe can weana lyt, sares and sorge.
12.. Prayer Our Lady 24 in Old Eng. Misc. 193 Muchel ich habbe ispened, to lite ich habbe an horde.
c1290 Life of Jesus 632 Ȝiueth us, heo seiden, of ouwer eoli... Nai, seiden þe oþere, þere were to luyte to us alle.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 640 Of mi liif is me bot lite.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiii. 149 He that loueth the lelly lyte of thyne coueiteth.
c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 11 Thy neighebore thou wytest synfully And seist thou hast to lite, and he hath al.
a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 930 Vpon þis woful thoght I..muse so, that vn-to lite I madde.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 38 I knaw tharin full lyte.
c1513 Frere & Boye sig. Aii He sayd he wolde ete but lyte Tyll nyght that he came home.
1867 W. F. Rock Jim an' Nell lxv. 19 And Joe an' Will have each a-bro't A main peart o' the leet they've got, Gosh, 'e'll ha quite a vortin.
b. (a, by) lite and lite: (by) little and little. Also in the form by lithe and lithe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [phrase] > gradually or in stages
footmealeOE
(a, by) lite and litec1290
a little and a littlea1375
little and littlea1387
(by) some and some1398
by little and by littlea1425
little by little?a1425
littly?a1425
inchmeal1530
by small and small1558
by (a) little1577
gradatim1583
by lithe and lithe1592
by inchesa1616
inch by incha1616
to go slow1664
c1290 S.E. Leg. I. 313/465 So þat þe sonne bi-fore geth luyte and luyte i-wis.
c1325 Song of Yesterday 44 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 134 Heo ne schal fade as a flour Luyte and luyte leosen hir beute.
c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 527 (Cambr.) Euere it wastith lyte & lyte awey.
1406 T. Hoccleve La Male Regle 92 A lyte & lyte to withdrawen it.
a1577 G. Gascoigne Dan Bartholmew in Wks. (1587) 104 By lite and lite his fits away gan flie.
1592 J. Dee Autobiogr. Tracts 23 in Chetham Misc. (1851) I Not long after..by lithe and lithe I became hindered.
c. a lite (in early texts often written alite): a little. Used also adverbially.
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
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > small of quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > to a small extent or a little
littlec1175
a litec1290
a little quantityc1330
little whata1387
wee1513
a whit1526
thought1581
a wee bita1661
a small (also little) matter1690
a trifle1859
a wheen1869
a taste1894
smitch1895
a lick1902
mite1939
a skosh1959
a tidge1959
a tad1969
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > fewness > [noun] > a small number of
some fewOE
puckleOE
a litec1290
couple1365
a…or twoa1400
handfulc1443
a wheen (of)1487
and odd1548
sprinkling1561
pair1611
scattering1628
sprinkle1754
c1290 Beket 1896 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 161 A luyte [v.r. lute] bi-fore cristemasse to þe kinge heo come.
c1290 St. Kenelm 318 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 354 Huy comen into one wode: a luyte bi este þe toune.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 435 (Kölbing) For þe barouns were hende Bi Salesbiri biside a lite Al redi bataile to smite.
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 249 If he wol make me slepe a lyte,..I wil yive him a fether-bed.
a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 1240 I have but a lite, And likly am herafter to have lesse.
c1430 Two Cookery-bks. 17 Þe ȝolke an þe whyte y-strainyd a lyte.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid viii. Prol. 3 I slaid on a swevynnyng slummerand a lite.
1559 D. Lindsay Test. Papyngo l. 766 in Wks. (1931) I Wyll the deith a lyte withdrawe his darte.
1584 T. Lodge Alarum (1879) 73 Such stately knees as when they bend a lite, All knees doo bend.
1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 30 A Lite: a few, a little.
1746 Exmoor Courtship 30 Ees hire yow lick a lit about ma Cozen Magery.
2. (In Old English followed by genitive plural with singular verb; subsequently elliptical as subject to plural verb.) Few.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > fewness > [noun] > few, not many
whonc950
liteOE
fewOE
wheenc1400
penny number1845
OE Beowulf 2882 Wergendra to lyt þrong ymbe þeoden.
a1200 Moral Ode 104 Hwi boð fole iclepede, and swa lut icorene.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 123 Lit ben þat þus understonden and bishechen god.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2018 Her wes muchel mon-qualm þat lut her quike bi-lefden.
a1300 K. Horn (Harl.) 658 Of þat þer were o ryue he lafte lut o lyue.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 8496 Þis write wiþ many was rede and sene bot lite [Vesp. fa, Gött. fone] wiste quat hit walde mene.
B. adj.1 (Uninflected in Old English)absolute.c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1137 He let of-sende moche and lite, Hise neyebours him to visite.1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xi. xxvi. 200 From this exploit he spar'd nor great nor lite.
1. Few. Also, a lite = few adj. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > fewness > [adjective]
feweOE
whonc950
litea1000
littleOE
petitc1390
wheenc1400
sobera1535
slim1852
a1000 Be Domes Dæge 61 He mid lyt wordum ac geleaf~fullum his hæle begeat.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 105 We wilen bi godes wissinge and bi his helpe þerof cuþen ȝiu þese lit word.
c1230 Hali Meid. 19 Þe hehscipe of þe mede þat tis ilke lut wordes bicluppen abuten.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 211 Lite prestis or none ben clene of þis symonye.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) 27864 Þer ar synnis lite [Cott. foun]..worre to amende þen is þis.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 47 With a lite grotes put hom þer in And sethe hom wele.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1312 Soght to þe Citie on soppes to-gedur Tho þat left were on lyue þogh þai lite were.
c1650 (c1515) Sc. Field (Percy) l. 9 in J. W. Hales & F. J. Furnivall Bp. Percy's Folio MS (1867) I. 212 There were lite Lords in this land that to that Lord longed.
1860 E. Waugh Yeth-Bobs iii. 47 ‘It'll be within a light (few) minutes o' noon, aw'll be bund.’
1870 B. Brierley Ab-o'th-Yate on Times & Things 48 If anybody had axt me heaw mony friends I had,..I should ha' bin bothered to ha' said how loit (few).
2. Little in amount; not much of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > small in quantity, amount, or degree
littleeOE
litec1175
smallc1325
somedealc1340
slight1530
diminutive1602
minor1612
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 29 Iþencheð hu lutte hw(i)le ge beoð here.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 763 Oft spet wel a lute lyste, Thar muche strengthe sholde miste.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 87/24 Deol and sor and luyte gladnesse.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2041 Is poer lute was vor þe king was euere aboue.
a1300 K. Horn 1211 (Cambr.) Wyn nelle ihc, Muche ne lite, Bute of cuppe white.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 276 Soþlike, in a lite þrawe Al engelond of him stod awe.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 423 Lite fortune and povert and scarste of riches makeþ me a þeef.
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 554 Luyte wonder hit was so þey wrouȝt haden.
1423 Kingis Quair xiii I..in my tyme more Ink and paper spent To lyte effect.
1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 186 Your aureate tongis both bene all to lyte For to compile that paradise complete.
a1794 M. Palmer Dialogue Devonshire Dial. (1837) 22 The leet money I've a croop'd up I be a shirk'd out o'.
1796 R. Walker Plebian Pol. (1801) 31 Hoo..knokt eawt whot loyt breans he had.
3. Little in magnitude; small. Often coupled with great or much.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [adjective]
smallOE
littleOE
litec1275
a little wightc1275
petitc1390
weea1525
pusill1599
slender1610
lile1633
scantling1652
piccaninny1707
pinkie1718
insignificant1748
baby1750
leetle1755
tiddy1781
bit1786
inconsiderable1796
itty1798
peerie1808
tittya1825
titty-tottya1825
ickle1846
tiddly1868
peewee1877
lil1881
shirttail1881
inextensive1890
puny1898
liddle1906
pint-sized1921
pint-size1925
peedie1929
tenas1935
itsy-bitsy1938
itty-bitty1940
titchy1950
scrappy1985
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11082 Þa wes Walwain lute child.
c1300 St. Brandan 184 Tho fleȝ ther up a lute fowel.
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 532 Upon this dore I gan to smyte, That was [so] fetys and so lyte.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame iii. 279 Me thougt she was so lyte That the lengthe of a cubite Was lengere than she.
14.. J. Lydgate Temple Glas 1291 For al my life it were to lit a space.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) Prol. 2 Latyn ne kanstow yit but smal, my lite sone.
a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 1268 Any mon myche or luyte.
c1513 Frere & Boye sig. Aivv Though I be lyte Yonder byrde wyll I smyte.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne ix. lxxxi. 175 Yet blossom'd out her flowres, small or lite.
1802 ‘P. Pindar’ Middlesex Election i. 6 Vor now I'll screw my fiddle-strings, Forsooth, a leet bit higher.
1877 Tugwell Hand-bk. N. Devon 253 Jan, do'e zee the lit woman standing by the bed?
C. adv.
Little; in a small degree, to a small extent.
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
OE Genesis 1566 He lyt ongeat þæt him on his inne swa earme gelamp.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 31 Þe uerste [zenne] is þonneliche, huanne þe man loueþ lite and lheucliche oure lhord.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 708 Charlis wiþ þe hore berde doþ þe lite Auaylle.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 86 Þanne thou nedyste a medycine þat ys lyte dryinge.
c1430 J. Lydgate Compl. Black Knight 413 In straunge lande ryding, ne travayle, Ful lyte or nought in love doth avayle.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
liten.5
/lʌɪt/, U.S. /laɪt/ 1. Frequently in commercial use, forming the names and designations of products and companies: = light n.1 (in various senses). Cf. Pointolite n., Scotchlite n.
ΚΠ
1909 Sat. Evening Post 5 June 32/4 The Dim-A-Lite Turn-down Socket.
1913 Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 22 Feb. 65/3 (advt.) Almost any manufacturer will equip your new car with Prest-O-Lite and an automatic lighter if you insist.
1955 M. Reifer Dict. New Words 122 Lite-lift.., a..forwarding arm device which permits immediate raising and lowering of a spotlight.
2010 Vanity Fair May 203/1 Paintbrush in hand, a set designer did a touch-up here and there. Automated Vari-Lites were being re-programmed and re-hung.
2. A lamp, spotlight, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [noun] > lamp
lightfatOE
lampc1200
lucernec1450
pharos1759
lite1924
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > spotlight
spotlight1875
spotlamp1900
lite1924
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > spotlight > on a car
spotlight1875
lite1924
1924 Lancaster (Ohio) Daily Eagle 28 May 5/4 (advt.) Ford Sedan completely overhauled, new paint, spot lite, motometer.
1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 28 Sept. 27/7 (advt.) Vinyl roof, hidden lites.
1973 Black World June 63 Strobe lites flickering all over the place.
1990 Gus Home Shopping Catal. No. B726. 16 (caption) Magnetic lite.
2009 Granville (Ohio) Sentinel 3 Dec. 7 b/2 (advt.) Fibre Optic 8″ Christmas Tree w/ multi mode mini lites, rotating spot lites.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
liteadj.2n.6
/lʌɪt/, U.S. /laɪt/ A. adj.2
1. U.S. In advertisements: (of work, a task, etc.) easy to accomplish or carry out. Cf. light adj.1 29a.
ΘΚΠ
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
1929 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 11 July (Home ed.) 36 b/5 (advt.) Cashier-wrapper, lite steno., some bkpg... $30 wk start.
2006 News-Herald (Panama City, Florida) 11 July 3 d/2 Lite clerical, telephone & showroom duties.
2. Chiefly in commercial use: designating a manufactured product that is lighter (in weight, calorie content, etc.) than the ordinary variety, esp. low-calorie beer. Cf. -lite comb. form2 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > low or equal calorie
isocaloric1922
no-calorie1951
no-cal1953
lite1955
equicaloric1961
light1991
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > ale or beer > beer > [adjective] > low-calorie
lite1955
light1970
Tsingtao1972
1955 Jrnl. Med. Soc. New Jersey 52 77 a (advt.) New—Lite Diet Bread.
1984 M. Amis Money 304 I sit in a bar drinking lite beer.
1997 M&S Mag. Spring 51 Trained opticians will advise on the best lenses for you—whether they're thin and lite lenses, vari-focals, [etc.].
2014 Radio Times 23 Aug. (South/West ed.) 99/1 Exploring the benefits of ‘lite’ snacks.
3. colloquial (originally U.S.). Designating a simplified or moderated version of something; (depreciative) lacking in substance; oversimplified, facile; bland. Cf. -lite comb. form2 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adjective] > not intense or lacking in substance
lite1986
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > slight > slight or insubstantial
leanc1325
light1534
rushy1579
slight1585
smattering1589
exile1610
unmassy1665
insubstantial1767
flimsy1780
tenuousa1817
unsubstantial1825
gaseous1846
slimline1973
lite1986
1986 Analog Computing July ST Software Suppl. VIP Professional—1-2-3 style package follows the keystrokes, applications and templates of the original. $180.00. The Lite version is available—less features for $100.00.
1991 Creem Apr. 78 With substantial songs inspired by real-life situations, Breathe are quickly putting behind them the notion that they're merely the lite fodder for teenaged dreams.
2004 Church Times 19 Nov. 19/2 You pay about £15 a month for a ‘lite’ service at the basic 521kb speed, including I Gb of data.
2012 Advertiser (Austral.) (Nexis) 8 June (Suppl.) 17 This gothic album couldn't be further from the ‘lite’ jazz-inflected acoustic pop of 2002's mega-selling Come Away With Me.
B. n.6
With capital initial. Originally U.S. Low-calorie beer. Cf. sense A. 2.Often short for a brand name containing the suffix -lite (see -lite comb. form2 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > ale or beer > beer > [noun] > low-calorie or light beer
lite1969
Tsingtao1972
1969 Valley News & Valley Green Sheet (Van Nuys, Calif.) 18 May (Burbank ed.) 41 a/1 The majority of the testers could not distinguish Lite from other premium beers.
2009 Gazette (Montreal) (Nexis) 9 Aug. (Final ed.) a13 The two black guys were drinking Lites.
Compounds
lite bite n. a small quantity of food to eat; (in later use chiefly) a light dish or snack, esp. one that is offered on a menu; = light bite n. at light adj.1 and n.2 Compounds 3.In quot. 1965 as the name of a snack bar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks
nuncheonc1260
morsela1382
refection?a1439
mixtumc1490
bever1500
banquet1509
collation1525
snatch1570
beverage1577
a little something1577
anders-meat1598
four-hours1637
watering1637
refreshment1639
snap1642
luncheona1652
crib1652
prandicle1656
munchin1657
baita1661
unch1663
afternooning1678
whet1688
nacket1694
merenda1740
rinfresco1745
bagging?1746
snack1757
coffee1774
second breakfast1775
nummit1777
stay-stomach1800
damper1804
eleven o'clock1805
noonshine1808
by-bit1819
morning1819
four1823
four o'clock1825
lunch1829
stay-bit1833
picnic meal1839
elevens1849
Tommy1864
picnic tea1869
dinnerette1872
merienda1880
elevenses1887
light bite1887
soldier's supper1893
mug-up1902
tray1914
café complet1933
nosha1941
namkeen1942
snax1947
snackette1952
chaat1954
ploughman's lunch1957
munchie1959
playlunch1960
short-eat1962
lite bite1965
munchie1971
ploughman1975
aperitivo2002
1965 N.Y. Times 10 Jan. viii. 6/5 The stores..initially function under the name ‘Lite-Bite’, but the owners can change the name if they wish.
1979 Joplin (Missouri) Globe 8 Aug. c1/1 No cook lite bites.
1987 Business Wire (Nexis) 9 Mar. TCBY's menu offers 21 flavors of yoghurt cones, cups and shakes, plus specialty items such as Belgian Waffles, French-style crepes, Lite Bites, Winter Warmers, pies and various take-out items.
2019 GoodfellowsLtd 7 Aug. in twitter.com (accessed 19 July 2021) Summer is all about lite bites, snacks, and sharing food!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
litev.1
Obsolete exc. dialect.
1. intransitive. To expect, wait, delay.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)]
geleOE
studegieOE
abideOE
to do in or a (= on) fristc1175
dwellc1175
demurc1230
targec1250
dretcha1325
tarrya1375
sojourn1377
defer1382
letc1385
hinderc1386
blina1400
delay?a1400
honea1400
litea1400
overbidea1400
prolongc1425
supersede1433
hoverc1440
tarrowc1480
sunyie1488
stay?a1500
sleep1519
slack1530
protract1540
linger1548
procrastinate1548
slackc1560
slug1565
jauk1568
temporize1579
detract1584
longering1587
sit1591
prorogue1593
to time it out1613
to lie out1640
crastinate1656
taigle17..
to hang fire1782
to hold off1790
to hang it on1819
prevaricate1854
to lie over1856
to tread water1942
to drag one's feet1946
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 2821 Quen þai sagh loth be to litand, þai tok him-self be þe hand.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 10209 Child to gete þai litid [Vesp. littend] lang.
a1400–50 Alexander 801 Þen littid þai na langer bot laschid out swerdis.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) i. xxii. 24 They lyte the redy weyes for to lerne.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 308/1 Lytyn, or longe taryyn, moror.
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 105 To wait in expectation of proceeding. ‘I have been liting o' you this half hour’.
2. To rely on, to trust to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)]
to set one's heart on (also (in)c825
littenc1175
leanc1230
fie1340
trusta1382
resta1393
reappose1567
repose1567
lite1570
rely1574
to set (up) one's rest1579
rely1606
to look back1646
recumba1677
to pin one's faith (also hope, etc.) on (also to) a person's sleeve1791
to look to ——1807
bank1884
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Miv/2 To Lyte or trust, fretus esse.
1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 30 To Lite on: to Rely on.
1683 G. Meriton York-shire Dial. (E.D.S. No. 76) 91 I lited on Hobb, and he lited on me.
1788 W. Marshall Provincialisms E. Yorks. in Rural Econ. Yorks. II. 340 Light, to rest, depend, or rely. ‘It is not to light on’; it is not to be depended upon.
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 105 ‘I suppose, then, I may lite o' you’.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
a1300 Cursor Mundi 26631 Þou sal shriue þe als sone als þou has euer þi synne done,..for liting is ful selcouþ ille.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
† litev.2
Obsolete.
reflexive. To delight.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > take pleasure or enjoy oneself [verb (reflexive)]
likeOE
joyc1260
litea1300
to please to oneselfa1382
relish1580
contentc1600
complease1604
pleasurea1640
enjoy1653
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1560 Amang kaym kyn Þat lited [Fairf. delitet, Trin. delited] þam noght bot in sin.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 25950 Þe thrid [sin] es wers of alle we rede, to lig and lit vs in vr sake, And siþen wil na mendes make.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† litev.3
Scottish. Obsolete.
transitive. To place (a person) on a list of selected candidates, to nominate; = leet v.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > choose for office [verb (transitive)] > propose as candidate > place on list
lite1574
leet1612
1574 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Glasgow (1876) I. 23 Lytis lytit be the..auld counsale to be presentit to my lord archibischop..for nemmyng of twa or thre of thame in baillies.
1583 in W. Maitland Hist. Edinb. (1753) 231 Theirefter the said Provest, Baillies, and Counsell, sall nominate, and lytt three Persones..of the saids fourten Crafts.
1619 D. Calderwood Perth Assembly 11 The generall assemblie, the highest judicatorie Ecclesiasticall within this realme, hath ever after exhortation made by the last Moderator lyted, and lawfullie elected a new Moderator.
1716 Kirk Session Rec. Dundee 20 Feb. in Sc. National Dict. at Leet v.1 A full meeting of Session being called in order to choise a kirk theauserer the[y] proceeded to a lite and accordingly lited [6 names].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
> see also
also refers to : -litecomb. form1
also refers to : -litecomb. form2
<
n.1a1350n.21441n.31493
n.4adj.1adv.a1000
n.51909adj.2n.61929v.1a1300v.2a1300v.31574see also