previous / next

slight ~ sleight (of hand)

[the same pronunciation, as in ‘slight’ which rhymes with “bright”]

“Slight”, as an adjective, means ‘(of something) small in degree; (of a person) thin and delicate’; and as a noun, it is ‘the act of treating someone without respect’; and as a verb, it is ‘to treat someone rudely, without respect’,

e.g.

There is a slight change in our plan.

The patient looked slight and frail.

My friend felt slighted when I, being in a hurry, pushed her away at the door.

____________________

“Sleight of hand” (noun & always with ‘of hand’) is ‘the use of one’s hands so quickly and skilfully that others cannot understand what or how something is done, usually some magic trick’; the use of skilful tricks and lies in order to cheat someone’,

e.g.

The magician’s sleight of hand made the audience wonder how in the heaven he did it!

<<< Back to List S /  Next  slot ~ slit >>>

<<< Back to main page