Light infantry

Light infantry
Light Light, a. [Compar. {Lighter} (l[imac]t"[~e]r); superl. {Lightest}.] [OE. light, liht, AS. l[=i]ht, le['o]ht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG. l[=i]hti, Icel. l[=e]ttr, Dan. let, Sw. l["a]tt, Goth. leihts, and perh. to L. levis (cf. {Levity}), Gr. 'elachy`s small, Skr. laghu light. [root]125.] 1. Having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to be the center of gravity with force; not heavy. [1913 Webster]

These weights did not exert their natural gravity, . . . insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical strength; as, a light burden, or load. [1913 Webster]

Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. --Matt. xi. 29, 30. [1913 Webster]

3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a light affliction or task. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Light sufferings give us leisure to complain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food; also, containing little nutriment. [1913 Webster]

5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse. [1913 Webster]

6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift. [1913 Webster]

Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted; as, the ship returned light. [1913 Webster]

8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread. [1913 Webster]

10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light rain; a light snow; light vapors. [1913 Webster]

11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind. [1913 Webster]

12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy, graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light style of execution. [1913 Webster]

13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind. [1913 Webster]

There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial. [1913 Webster]

Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Specimens of New England humor laboriously light and lamentably mirthful. --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]

15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy. [1913 Webster]

Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain ? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered. [1913 Webster]

To a fair semblance doth light faith annex. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character. [1913 Webster]

A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished; as, light coin. [1913 Webster]

19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil. [1913 Webster]

{Light cavalry}, {Light horse} (Mil.), light-armed soldiers mounted on strong and active horses.

{Light eater}, one who eats but little.

{Light infantry}, infantry soldiers selected and trained for rapid evolutions.

{Light of foot}. (a) Having a light step. (b) Fleet.

{Light of heart}, gay, cheerful.

{Light oil} (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water, forming the chief part of the first distillate of coal tar, and consisting largely of benzene and toluene.

{Light sails} (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails, with, also, the studding sails and flying jib. --Dana.

{Light sleeper}, one easily wakened.

{Light weight}, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey, who is below a standard medium weight. Cf. {Feather weight}, under {Feather}. [Cant]

{To make light of}, to treat as of little consequence; to slight; to disregard.

{To set light by}, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Light Infantry Brigade — The Light Infantry Brigade was an administrative formation of the British Army from 1948 to 1968. The Brigade administered the regular English light infantry regiments.After the Second World War the British Army had fourteen infantry depots, each …   Wikipedia

  • Light Infantry Divisions —    (LID)    Elite units of the Burmese Army designed for mobile operations. The first Light Infantry Division, the 77th LID, was established in 1966 to fight the forces of the Communist Party of Burma in the Pegu (Bago) Yoma region. During… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • light infantry — 1. foot soldiers with lightweight weapons and minimal field equipment. 2. infantry units with a minimal number of crew served weapons and other supporting equipment. [1840 50] * * * …   Universalium

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  • History of British light infantry — The History of British light infantry goes back to the early days of the British Army, when irregular troops and mercenaries added skills in light infantry fighting. From the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Army dedicated some line… …   Wikipedia

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