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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
lev·i·ty 
[lev-i-tee] Pronunciation Key
[lev-i-tee] Pronunciation Key –noun, plural -ties.
| 1. | lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness. |
| 2. | an instance or exhibition of this. |
| 3. | fickleness. |
| 4. | lightness in weight. |
—Synonyms 1, 2. frivolity, flippancy, triviality, giddiness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| lev·i·ty
(lěv'ĭ-tē) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. lev·i·ties
[Latin levitās, from levis, light; see legwh- in Indo-European roots.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
levity
levity
1564, from L. levitas (gen. levitatis) "lightness, frivolity," from levis "light" in weight (see lever).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| levity | |
noun | |
| 1. | feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness [ant: gravity] |
| 2. | a manner lacking seriousness |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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