Definition of lissom

The word "lissom" is an adjective that refers to something that is smooth, supple, and graceful in motion. Its origin can be traced back to the late 18th century, when it first appeared in the English language. The root of the word is the Old Norse word "lissr," which means "soft" or "smooth." This word was brought over to Old English by the Vikings, who introduced it into the English language as "hlissor." Over time, the word evolved into the Middle English form "lysson," and eventually into the modern-day spelling "lissom." The use of "lissom" to describe something that is smooth and graceful in motion is first recorded in the late 18th century, and it was popularized by prominent English writers of the time such as Samuel Johnson and William Shakespeare. Shakespeare used the word in his plays, such as in "The Merry Wives of Windsor," where he wrote "As lissom as a serpent glides through grass." The word "lissom" has since remained a part of the English lexicon, and it is still commonly used today to describe objects, movements, and actions that exhibit a certain amount of smoothness and fluidity. Examples of its usage include "lissom movements of a skilled dancer," "the lissom texture of silk," and "the lissom curves of a car's body."