The Good Oil Word of the Day

The word for today is…

slight (adjective, verb, noun) -

adjective 1a: having a slim or delicate build : not stout or massive in body b: lacking in strength or substance : flimsy, frail c: deficient in weight, solidity, or importance : trivial 2: small of its kind or in amount

verb 1: to treat as slight or unimportant : make light of 2: to treat with disdain or indifference 3: to perform or attend to carelessly and inadequately

noun 1: an act or an instance of slighting 2: an instance of being slighted : a humiliating discourtesy

Source : Merriam-Webster

Etymology : Slight is a homophone of sleight, and feels like it makes sense in this idiom, but sleight of hand is the correct form when referring to a cleverly executed trick. Sleight means "deceitful craftiness" or "stratagem," and slight means "having a slim or delicate build"; a slim person is sometimes described as being "slight of build." The word has been used since the 14th century and is from Middle English, smooth, slight, probably from Old English sliht- (in eorth-slihtes level with the ground); akin to Old High German sleht smooth, slīhhan to glide.

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