† leˈgerity Obs.
Also 6 liger-, leiger-, legieritie.
[ad. F. légèreté: see leger a. and -ity.]
Lightness (lit. and fig.); nimbleness.
| 1561 Throckmorton Let. to Eliz. 29 Apr. in Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) III. 146 Some others of her nation that be inclined to greater legerity, inconstancy, and corruption. 1598 Barret Theor. Warres i. ii. 12 A signe of great ligeritie and lightnesse. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iv. i. 23 The Organs..newly moue With casted slough and fresh legeritie. 1599 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. ii. i, I have..the Leigeritie, for [certain feats of legerdemain]. 1600 Dr. Dodypoll iii. iv. in Bullen O. Pl. III. 133 The legieritie of her sweet feete. 1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. of Rom. II. 164 Considering that his legerity would more advantage him then his force, he concluded to combat him with judgement. 1822 W. Tennant Thane of Fife vi. 37 Worming his way with strange legerity. 1830 Galt Lawrie T. iii. xvi. (1849) 138 Had I not cause for thankfulness on this occasion that I had been formed with such legerity. |