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Lightness vs Lightly - What's the difference?

lightness | lightly |

As a noun lightness

is (uncountable) the condition of being illuminated or lightness can be the state of having little weight, or little force.

As an adverb lightly is

in a light manner.

lightness

English

Etymology 1

from light, the noun

Noun

  • (uncountable) the condition of being illuminated
  • (uncountable) the relative whiteness or transparency of a colour
  • (countable) The product of being illuminated.
  • Etymology 2

    From (light), the adjective.

    Noun

    (-)
  • The state of having little weight, or little force.
  • Agility of movement.
  • Freedom from worry.
  • * {{quote-book, 1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, chapter=The Tutor's Daughter, page=266, title= Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion
  • , passage=In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.}}
  • Levity, frivolity; inconsistency.
  • *, New York 2001, p.75:
  • Senecaaccounts it a filthy lightness in men, every day to lay new foundations of their life, but who doth otherwise?

    lightly

    English

    Adverb

    (en-adv)
  • In a light manner.
  • :
  • *
  • *:Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ΒΆ ("I never) understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."
  • Derived terms

    * take lightly