English Explanatory Dictionary

lithe

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Mild; calm.
  2. Slim but not skinny.
  3. Capable of being easily bent; flexible.
  4. Adaptable.
verb
  1. To become calm.
  2. To make soft or mild; soften; alleviate; mitigate; lessen; smooth; palliate.
verb
  1. To attend; listen, hearken.
  2. To listen to, hearken to.
noun
  1. Shelter.
verb
  1. to thicken (gravy, etc.)

Pronunciation

/laɪð/ en-uk-lithe.ogg

Word forms

lithe lither lithest lithes lithing lithed lythe

Etymology

From Middle English lithe, from Old English līþe (“gentle, mild”), from Proto-West Germanic *linþ(ī), from Proto-Germanic *linþaz, from Proto-Indo-European *lentos. Akin to Saterland Frisian lied (“thin, skinny, gaunt”), Danish, Dutch, and archaic German lind (“mild”). Some sources also list Latin lenis (“soft”) and/or Latin lentus (“supple”) as possible cognates.

Synonyms

clement gentle mellow lithesome lissome swack gaunt gracile lank lean leansome lithe rangy sleek slender slight slim slinky svelte sylphlike willowy pliant flexible limber bain bendable bendsome bendy flexile

Related words

-inda lind linden Linda

Derived words

lissom lithely litheness slithy
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