Lev"i*ty (l&ebreve;v"&ibreve;*t&ybreve;),
n. [L. levitas, fr. levis light in
weight; akin to levare to raise. See Lever,
n.] 1. The quality of weighing
less than something else of equal bulk; relative lightness,
especially as shown by rising through, or floating upon, a contiguous
substance; buoyancy; -- opposed to gravity.
He gave the form of levity to that which
ascended; to that which descended, the form of gravity.
Sir. W. Raleigh.
This bubble by reason of its comparative levity
to the fluidity that incloses it, would ascend to the
top.
Bentley.
2. Lack of gravity and earnestness in
deportment or character; trifling gayety; frivolity; sportiveness;
vanity. " A spirit of levity and libertinism."
Atterbury.
He never employed his omnipotence out of
levity.
Calamy.
3. Lack of steadiness or constancy;
disposition to change; fickleness; volatility.
The levity that is fatigued and disgusted with
everything of which it is in possession.
Burke.
Syn. -- Inconstancy; thoughtlessness; unsteadiness;
inconsideration; volatility; flightiness. -- Levity,
Volatility, Flightiness. All these words relate to
outward conduct. Levity springs from a lightness of mind which
produces a disregard of the proprieties of time and
place.Volatility is a degree of levity which causes the
thoughts to fly from one object to another, without resting on any
for a moment. Flightiness is volatility carried to an extreme
which often betrays its subject into gross impropriety or weakness.
Levity of deportment, of conduct, of remark; volatility
of temper, of spirits; flightiness of mind or disposition.
