Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

levitymore about levity

levity


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Levity  \Lev"i*ty\  (l[e^]v"[i^]*t[y^]),  n.  [L.  levitas  fr  levis 
  light  in  weight;  akin  to  levare  to  raise.  See  {Lever},  n.] 
  1.  The  quality  of  weighing  less  than  something  else  of  equal 
  bulk;  relative  lightness,  especially  as  shown  by  rising 
  through  or  floating  upon  a  contiguous  substance; 
  buoyancy;  --  opposed  to  {gravity}. 
 
  He  gave  the  form  of  levity  to  that  which  ascended; 
  to  that  which  descended,  the  form  of  gravity.  --Sir. 
  W.  Raleigh. 
 
  This  bubble  by  reason  of  its  comparative  levity  to 
  the  fluidity  that  incloses  it  would  ascend  to  the 
  top  --Bentley. 
 
  2.  Lack  of  gravity  and  earnestness  in  deportment  or 
  character;  trifling  gayety;  frivolity;  sportiveness; 
  vanity.  ``  A  spirit  of  levity  and  libertinism.'' 
  --Atterbury. 
 
  He  never  employed  his  omnipotence  out  of  levity. 
  --Calamy. 
 
  3.  Lack  of  steadiness  or  constancy;  disposition  to  change; 
  fickleness;  volatility. 
 
  The  levity  that  is  fatigued  and  disgusted  with 
  everything  of  which  it  is  in  possession.  --Burke. 
 
  Syn:  Inconstancy;  thoughtlessness;  unsteadiness; 
  inconsideration;  volatility;  flightiness. 
 
  Usage:  {Levity},  {Volatility},  {Flightiness}.  All  these  words 
  relate  to  outward  conduct.  Levity  springs  from  a 
  lightness  of  mind  which  produces  a  disregard  of  the 
  proprieties  of  time  and  place.Volatility  is  a  degree 
  of  levity  which  causes  the  thoughts  to  fly  from  one 
  object  to  another,  without  resting  on  any  for  a 
  moment.  Flightiness  is  volatility  carried  to  an 
  extreme  which  often  betrays  its  subject  into  gross 
  impropriety  or  weakness.  Levity  of  deportment,  of 
  conduct,  of  remark;  volatility  of  temper,  of  spirits; 
  flightiness  of  mind  or  disposition. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  levity 
  n  1:  feeling  an  inappropriate  lack  of  seriousness  [ant:  {gravity}] 
  2:  lightness  of  manner 




more about levity