lightly

Everyday

1. Lightly means with little force or weight: «tap lightly». tree →
2. A little: «lightly salted», «lightly cooked». tree →
3. Without being serious or worried: «take something lightly». tree →
4. Not much: «sleep lightly». tree →

In the lessons

Used in recipes («lightly beat the eggs»), safety warnings («don't take this lightly»), everyday life and stories. Phrases: «take lightly», «get off lightly» (have a small punishment), «tread lightly».

Examples

• Lightly tap the glass with a spoon. tree →
• Lightly grease the tin before baking. tree →
• Snow fell lightly all night. tree →
• Don't take fire safety lightly. tree →
• He got off lightly with a warning. tree →
• Dad sleeps lightly and hears every noise. tree →
• How lightly, quickly, nimbly, wonderfully, she moved! tree →

Note

Adverb of «light». Opposite: heavily. «Get off lightly» = escape with a small punishment.

In Jewish tradition

Here it often means carelessly or in a shallow way, as when false prophets heal the people's hurt lightly. It can also mean with little respect.

Interpretation. Jeremiah is read as saying that false comfort is a sin, because the leaders cried "Peace" instead of calling the people to change.

Examples

• They have healed also the hurt of My people lightly, saying: 'Peace, peace', when there is no peace. (Prophets JER.6.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people lightly, saying: 'Peace, peace', when there is no peace. (Prophets JER.8.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread. (Writings PRO.12.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adverb of «light». Opposite: heavily. «Get off lightly» = escape with a small punishment.