light infantry

Light \Light\, a. [Compar. {Lighter} (l[imac]t"[~e]r); superl.
   {Lightest}.] [OE. light, liht, AS. l[imac]ht, le['i]ht; akin
   to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG. l[imac]hti, Icel. l[=e]ttr, Dan.
   let, Sw. l[aum]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.
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            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.
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   2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by
      physical strength; as, a light burden, or load.
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            Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
            easy, and my burden is light.         --Matt. xi.
                                                  29, 30.
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   3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not
      difficult; as, a light affliction or task. --Chaucer.
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            Light sufferings give us leisure to complain.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as,
      light food; also, containing little nutriment.
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   5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light
      troops; a troop of light horse.
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   6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments;
      hence, active; nimble; swift.
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            Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . .
            but not always best subjects, for they are light to
            run away.                             --Bacon.
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   7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently
      ballasted; as, the ship returned light.
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   8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. --Shak.
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   9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread.
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   10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as,
       a light rain; a light snow; light vapors.
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   11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind.
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   12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy,
       graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light
       style of execution.
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   13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced
       by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled;
       volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind.
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             There is no greater argument of a light and
             inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at
             religion.                            --Tillotson.
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   14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or
       solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial.
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             Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.
                                                  --Shak.
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             Specimens of New England humor laboriously light
             and lamentably mirthful.             --Hawthorne.
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   15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged;
       dizzy; giddy.
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             Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain ?
                                                  --Shak.
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   16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered.
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             To a fair semblance doth light faith annex.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character.
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             A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak.
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   18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped;
       diminished; as, light coin.
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   19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil.
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   {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.
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