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levity

 - 3 dictionary results

lev⋅i⋅ty

  [lev-i-tee]
Use levity in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1555–65; < L levitās lightness, frivolity, equiv. to levi(s) light + -tās -ty 2

Synonyms:
1, 2. frivolity, flippancy, triviality, giddiness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lev·i·ty   (lěv'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. lev·i·ties

  1. Lightness of manner or speech, especially when inappropriate; frivolity.

  2. Inconstancy; changeableness.

  3. The state or quality of being light; buoyancy.


[Latin levitās, from levis, light; see legwh- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

levity 
1564, from L. levitas (gen. levitatis) "lightness, frivolity," from levis "light" in weight (see lever).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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