lightness

lightness
I. noun Date: before 12th century 1. the quality or state of being illuminated ; illumination 2. the attribute of object colors by which the object appears to reflect or transmit more or less of the incident light — compare brightness 2, hue 2c, saturation 4 II. noun Date: 12th century 1. the quality or state of being light especially in weight 2. lack of seriousness and stability of character often accompanied by casual heedlessness 3. a. the quality or state of being nimble b. an ease and gaiety of style or manner 4. a lack of weightiness or force ; delicacy

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Lightness — is a philosophical concept most closely associated with continental philosophy and existentialism, which is used in ontology. The term lightness varies in usage but is differentiated from physical weight, such as the lightness of balsa wood . In… …   Wikipedia

  • lightness — lightness, light mindedness, levity, frivolity, flippancy, volatility, flightiness are comparable when denoting the quality, manner, or attitude of one who is irresponsibly gay or indifferent especially when seriousness is expected. Lightness… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Lightness — Light ness, n. [From {Light} bright.] 1. Illumination, or degree of illumination; as, the lightness of a room. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Absence of depth or of duskiness in color; as, the lightness of a tint; lightness of complexion. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lightness — Light ness, n. [From {Light} not heavy.] The state, condition, or quality, of being light or not heavy; buoyancy; levity; fickleness; nimbleness; delicacy; grace. [1913 Webster] Syn: Levity; volatility; instability; inconstancy; unsteadiness;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lightness — I index immateriality, informality II index expedience, fairness, honesty, propriety ( …   Law dictionary

  • lightness — quality of having little weight, late O.E., from LIGHT (Cf. light) (adj.1) + NESS (Cf. ness) …   Etymology dictionary

  • lightness — lightness1 [līt′nis] n. 1. the state, quality, or intensity of lighting; brightness 2. a) the state of being nearer to white than to black; paleness b) the relative amount of light reflected by an object ranging from black to white or colorless… …   English World dictionary

  • lightness — lightness1 /luyt nis/, n. 1. the state or quality of being light in weight: the amazing lightness of the new metal. 2. the quality of being agile, nimble, or graceful. 3. lack of pressure or burdensomeness. 4. lack of seriousness; levity in… …   Universalium

  • lightness — Ⅰ. light [1] ► NOUN 1) the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible; electromagnetic radiation from about 390 to 740 nm in wavelength. 2) a source of illumination. 3) a device producing a flame or spark. 4) (lights) traffic… …   English terms dictionary

  • lightness — noun a) the condition of being illuminated Seneca [...] accounts it a filthy lightness in men, every day to lay new foundations of their life, but who doth otherwise? b) the relative whiteness or transparency of a colour …   Wiktionary

  • lightness — I. /ˈlaɪtnəs/ (say luytnuhs) noun 1. the state of being light, illuminated, or whitish. 2. thin or pale colouration. {Middle English lightnesse, Old English līhtnes, from līht light1, bright + nes ness} II. /ˈlaɪtnəs/ (say luytnuhs) noun 1. the… …  

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