light-handed

== English == === Alternative forms === lighthanded === Etymology === From Middle English lyghte handyd, from light (adjective) +‎ honded, participle of honden (“to seize, take charge of”), from the noun hond (“hand”). See more at hand. === Pronunciation === enPR: lītʹhăn'd(ĭ)d Hyphenation: light‧hand‧ed === Adjective === light-handed (comparative lighter-handed or more light-handed, superlative lightest-handed or most light-handed) Gentle; benign and with minimal intervention. Sparing; applying only slight pressure or minimal amounts. Delicate and skilled; nimble and dextrous Light-hearted; fun and witty or easygoing. 1981-1982, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure We make several light-handed or joking references to my change. Flippant; lacking seriousness. (nautical or military) Not having a full complement of workers. Thieving, larcenous. (food) Fresh and light-tasting, not rich, heavy, or highly seasoned. (obsolete) Having or requiring little strength. === Adverb === light-handed (comparative more light-handed, superlative most light-handed) Carrying very little. In a light-handed manner. ==== Derived terms ==== === References ===