lissome
UK[ˈlɪs.əm]US[ˈlɪs.əm]
adj
(of a person or their body) thin, supple, and graceful.
adj
agile and nimble.
Etymology
The word 'lissome' is a variant of 'lithesome', which itself derives from the old english word 'līþe', meaning gentle, mild, or flexible. The core root 'līþe' is of germanic origin, related to the old norse 'linnr' (soft, mild) and the modern german 'lind' (gentle, mild). The suffix '-some' was added to form an adjective, a common pattern in english. Over time, through a process of phonetic alteration and assimilation, 'lithesome' evolved into the more streamlined and elegant form 'lissome', retaining the core sense of graceful flexibility.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
The dancer's lissome movements captivated the entire audience.
She climbed the tree with lissome agility, surprising everyone with her strength.
The yoga instructor had a lissome figure that seemed to bend effortlessly.