[f. LIGHT a.1 + -SOME. Cf. MHG. lîhtsam.]
1. Having the effect or appearance of lightness; now chiefly with reference to form, light, graceful, elegant. † Also, in early use, easy. Somewhat rare.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 304/2. Lyghtesum, or esy (K. lihtsum), facilis.
1578. Chr. Prayers, 77 b. Let thy yoke become sweete and thy burthen lightsom to me through thy crosse.
1634–5. Brereton, Trav. (1844), 179. The pillars as strong as any I have seen … but nothing neat or lightsome.
1737. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 19. Nothing contributes more to a Horse’s being easy upon the Rider’s Hand, than a lightsome Fore-End, and thin Shoulders.
1759. B. Martin, Nat. Hist. Eng., I. I. of Wight 123. The Air of Newport is lightsome and pleasant.
1824. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. 14. Snowy blossoms … so lightsome, and yet so rich!
a. 1851. Moir, Poems, Angler, ii. His hat of whitest straw, Lightsome of wear.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., iv. 116. The lofty tower, straight and lightsome as a lily.
2. Not weighed down by care, pain or sorrow; light-hearted, cheerful, merry; also, enlivening, entertaining.
a. 1366[?]. Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 956. With ladies and with bacheleres, Ful lightsom and [ful] glad of cheres.
c. 1400. Beryn, 2973. Hir thouȝtis … did hir peyn to make liȝtsom chere.
1590. T. Watson, Eclog. Death Walsingham, 121. That lightsome vaine is changd from youth to aged grauitie.
1657. Sparrow, Bk. Com. Prayer (1661), 389. White garments … suit fitly with that lightsome affection of joy.
1679. C. Nesse, Antid. agst. Popery, 202. A lightsome story of a French gentleman … being asked merrily [etc.].
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 547, ¶ 12. I now find myself chearful, lightsome and easy.
1812. Byron, Ch. Har., II. xcii. Greece is no lightsome land of social mirth.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xvii. Lightsome sangs make merry gate.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., ii. 39. The merry-makers were dancing … a lightsome crowd, with garlands and greenery.
b. Flighty, frivolous.
1533. Sir T. More, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. II. 52. Not uppon the fallible opinion or sone spoken words of lightsome chaungeable peple.
1800. A. Carlyle, Autobiog., 524. The neighbours … were all very agreeable, even the clergyman’s wife, who was a little lightsome.
1890. W. A. Wallace, Only a Sister? 77. She was as good-living a woman as ever stepped; but lightsome like, as foreign folks are.
3. Moving lightly; lively, nimble, quick.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 37. Their sences cleare and lightsome, their wits pregnant.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, xi. (1697), 193. The Body will feel itself more airy and lightsomer.
1737. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1756), I. 157. Matter is drawn off, and the Head rendered brisk and lightsome.
1798. Frere, etc. Anti-Jacobin, No. 31 (1852), 171. Thy limber and lightsome spirit bounds up against affliction.
1805. Wordsw., Prelude, XIII. 133. As lightsome as a bird.
1815. L. Hunt, Feast of Poets, 65. Mr. Scott … has a lightsome fancy.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., lxv. There flutters up a happy thought, Self-balanced on a lightsome wing.
1879. J. Hawthorne, Laugh. M., etc. 315. His lofty figure was as alert and lightsome as it was majestic.
