From Middle English slight (“bad, of poor quality, unimportant, trivial, slender, slim, smooth, level”), from Old English sliht (“smooth, level”), from Proto-Germanic *slihtaz (“slippery, flat, level, plain”), related to English slick. Cognate with Scots slicht (“bad, of poor quality”), West Frisian sljocht (“smooth, level, plain, simple”), Dutch slecht (“bad”), Low German slecht (“bad”), German schlecht (“bad”) and schlicht (“plain, artless, natural”), Danish slet (“bad, evil, poor, nasty, wrong”), Swedish slät (“smooth”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk slett (“even”), Icelandic sléttur (“even, smooth, level”).
Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,[…].1921, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
Even though there is slight quality variation between the long and short versions of Arabic vowels, the variation is rarely noticeable even by some phoneticians; hence, it does not amount to a source of even phonetic accent except for those learners of Arabic whose language has a strictly centrifugal vowel system such as Spanish, Italian, Tagalog, among others.2014, Edward Y. Odisho, “Some Primary Sources of Accent Generation in the Pronunciation of Arabic by Native Speakers of English”, in Mediterranean Language Review, volume 21, →DOI, page 100 of 91–104:
2
Not thorough; superficial.
make a slight examination
3
Trifling; unimportant; insignificant.
we made a slight mistake
a slight pain
2 more examples
Some firmly embrace doctrines upon slight grounds.1741, John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education & of the Conduct of the Understanding:
Slight is the subject, but not so the praise.1714, Alexander Pope, “The Rape of the Lock”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC, canto I:
his own figure, which was formerly so slight1822, Sir Walter Scott, Peveril of the Peak:
1 more example
But now, ten years later, after his recent shipwreck, he cannot compete as a runner, though he can outthrow the slighter Phaeacians with the heaviest discus.2002, Eva Brann, Homeric Moments, page 48:
But no beast ever was so slight, For man, as for his god, to fight; They have more wit, alas! and know Themselves and us better than so.1859, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, Canto 1, lines 781-784:
This slight way of treating both his book and his ancestors nettled little Puddock – who never himself took a liberty, and expected similar treatment – but he knew Sturk, the nature of the beast, and he only bowed grandly […]1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:
From Middle English slight (“bad, of poor quality, unimportant, trivial, slender, slim, smooth, level”), from Old English sliht (“smooth, level”), from Proto-Germanic *slihtaz (“slippery, flat, level, plain”), related to English slick. Cognate with Scots slicht (“bad, of poor quality”), West Frisian sljocht (“smooth, level, plain, simple”), Dutch slecht (“bad”), Low German slecht (“bad”), German schlecht (“bad”) and schlicht (“plain, artless, natural”), Danish slet (“bad, evil, poor, nasty, wrong”), Swedish slät (“smooth”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk slett (“even”), Icelandic sléttur (“even, smooth, level”).
To treat as unimportant or not worthy of attention; to make light of.
the wretch who slights the bounty of the skies1782, William Cowper, Truth:
2
To give lesser weight or importance to.
Incontiguously (accent on tig; the rest of the syllables slighted) means in an incontiguous manner.1915, Josephine Turck Baker, Correct English, volumes 16-17, page 182:
3
To treat (someone or something) with disdain or neglect, usually out of prejudice, hatred, or jealousy; to ignore disrespectfully; to skimp on one's duties toward.
Though true of heart, she was somewhat of a coquette in manner; and I was jealous as a Turk. She slighted me in a thousand ways, yet would never acknowledge herself to be in the wrong. She would drive me mad with anger, and then force me to beg her pardon.1833, Mary Shelley, The Mortal Immortal:
When the parliament had finished the war , they reduced and slighted most of the inland garrison1702–1704, Edward [Hyde, 1st] Earl of Clarendon, (please specify |book=I to XVI), in The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed at the [Sheldonian] Theater:
After your ground is sowne and harrowed, you shall then clotte it, sleight it, and smooth it.1620, Gervase Markham, Farwell to Hvsbandry:
7
To throw heedlessly.
The rogue slighted me into the river.c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]:
From Middle English slight (“bad, of poor quality, unimportant, trivial, slender, slim, smooth, level”), from Old English sliht (“smooth, level”), from Proto-Germanic *slihtaz (“slippery, flat, level, plain”), related to English slick. Cognate with Scots slicht (“bad, of poor quality”), West Frisian sljocht (“smooth, level, plain, simple”), Dutch slecht (“bad”), Low German slecht (“bad”), German schlecht (“bad”) and schlicht (“plain, artless, natural”), Danish slet (“bad, evil, poor, nasty, wrong”), Swedish slät (“smooth”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk slett (“even”), Icelandic sléttur (“even, smooth, level”).
1
The act of ignoring or snubbing; a deliberate act of neglect or discourtesy.
Never use a slighting expression to her, even in jest; for slights in jest, after frequent bandyings, are apt to end in angry earnest.1793, Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin:
But you, you're not allowed You're uninvited An unfortunate slight1997, Alanis Morissette, “Uninvited”, performed by Alanis Morissette:
For till that stownd could never wight him harme, By subtilty, nor slight, nor might, nor mighty charme.1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto XXXVI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC: