lightly

adv. 1. With little weight; with little force; as, to tread lightly; to press lightly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet shall thy grave with rising flowers be drest,
And the green turf lie lightly on thy breast. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear
Touched lightly. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Swiftly; nimbly; with agility. [ 1913 Webster ]

So mikle was that barge, it might not lightly sail. R. of Brunne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Watch what thou seest and lightly bring me word. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Without deep impression. [ 1913 Webster ]

The soft ideas of the cheerful note,
Lightly received, were easily forgot. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. In a small degree; slightly; not severely. [ 1913 Webster ]

At the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun . . . and afterward did more grievously afflict her. Is. ix. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. With little effort or difficulty; easily; readily. [ 1913 Webster ]

That lightly come, shall lightly go. Old Proverb. [ 1913 Webster ]

They come lightly by the malt, and need not spare it. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Without reason, or for reasons of little weight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flatter not the rich, neither do thou willingly or lightly appear before great personages. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Commonly; usually. [ Obs. ] Bp. Fisher. [ 1913 Webster ]

The great thieves of a state are lightly the officers of the crown. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Without dejection; cheerfully. “Seeming to bear it lightly.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. Without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily. [ 1913 Webster ]

Matrimony . . . is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly. Book of Common Prayer [ Eng. Ed. ]. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. Not chastely; wantonly. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]