slight´ness

slight´ness
slight «slyt», adjective, verb, noun.
–adj.
1. not much; not important; small: »

I have a slight headache. One slice of bread is a slight lunch. I hardly felt that slight scratch. Therefore I am glad to take this slight occasion—this trifling occasion... (Dickens).

 SYNONYM(S): inconsiderable, trivial, trifling.
2. not big around; slender; slim: »

She is a slight girl.

SYNONYM(S): thin.
3. flimsy; frail: »

a slight structure, slight clothing, a slight excuse.

–v.t.
to pay too little attention to; treat as of little value or importance; neglect: »

This maid slights her work. She felt slighted because she was not asked to the party.

–n.
an act showing neglect or lack of respect; slighting treatment shown to one who expects courtesy and friendliness: »

Cinderella suffered many slights from her sisters. ... thwarted or stung by a fancied slight (Bret Harte).

╂[Middle English slight, perhaps Old English -sliht level, as in eorthslihtes level with the ground]
–slight´ness, noun.
Synonym Study transitive verb. Slight, overlook, neglect mean to pay too little attention to someone or something needing or deserving it. Slight emphasizes intentionally doing so: »

to slight one's homework.

Overlook emphasizes unintentionally doing so: »

While reviewing our budget, we overlooked the telephone bill.

Neglect emphasizes doing so because of indifference, distaste, or laziness: »

He regularly neglects brushing his teeth before going to bed.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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