Light cavalry

Light cavalry
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 cavalry — refers to lightly armed and armored troops mounted on horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the riders (and sometimes the horses) are heavily armored. The missions of the light cavalry were primarily reconnaissance, screening, skirmishing,… …   Wikipedia

  • light cavalry — Cavalry Cav al*ry, n. [F. cavalerie, fr. It. cavalleria. See {Cavalier}, and cf. {chivalry}.] (Mil.) That part of military force which serves on horseback. [1913 Webster] Note: {Heavy cavalry} and {light cavalry} are so distinguished by the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • light cavalry — /ˈlaɪt kævəlri/ (say luyt kavuhlree) noun Military 1. lightly armed soldiers mounted on horses. 2. lightly armoured vehicles, especially for reconnaissance, seen as fulfilling the historical role of mounted light cavalry. See heavy cavalry …  

  • Light Cavalry HAC — The Light Cavalry HAC originally was formed in 1861 as a further extension to the Honourable Artillery Company’s ‘variety of Arms’. Amongst the then duties were guarding the Lord Mayor of London, a role taken over more latterly by the Company of… …   Wikipedia

  • 7th Light Cavalry — Infobox Military Unit unit name= 7th Light Cavalry abbreviation= caption= dates= 1784 1947 country=British India allegiance=British Crown branch= British Indian Army type= Cavalry role= size= Regiment command structure=Indian Cavalry Corps… …   Wikipedia

  • 8th King George's Own Light Cavalry — Infobox Military Unit unit name= 8th King George s Own Light Cavalry abbreviation= 8th Cavalry caption= dates= 1787 1946 country=India allegiance=British Crown branch=British Indian Army type= Cavalry role= size= Regiment command structure=Indian …   Wikipedia

  • Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre — The Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre, is a sword that was used primarily by British Light Dragoons and hussars, and Kings German Legion light cavalry during the Napoleonic Wars. It was adopted by the Prussians (as the 1811 pattern or Blücher… …   Wikipedia

  • 16th Light Cavalry — Infobox Military Unit unit name=16th Light Cavalry abbreviation= caption= dates=1776 1947 country= British India allegiance=British Crown branch= British Indian Army type= Cavalry role= size= Regiment command structure=Indian Cavalry Corps… …   Wikipedia

  • Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber — J.E.B. Stuart with his 1860 sabre. It is shorter, lighter and less curved than the 1840 model …   Wikipedia

  • 2nd Light Cavalry Division (France) — The French 2nd Light Cavalry Division was a French Army formation during World War II.During the Battle of France in May 1940 the division contained the following units:*3 Cavalry Brigade *12 Light Mechanized Brigade *73 Artillery Regiment It was …   Wikipedia

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