lithe

(līth)

adj. lith•er, lith•est

1. Readily bent; supple: lithe birch branches.

2. Marked by effortless grace: a lithe ballet dancer.

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[Middle English, from Old English līthe, flexible, mild.]

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lithe′ly adv.

lithe′ness n.

Howard used this adjective to describe women predominantly, though occasionally the cat-like motion of a man.

“Admiration burned in his fierce eyes as he looked down at her splendid bosom and her lithe limbs which still quivered from fright and exertion.”

-Man-Eaters of Zambolou

“He studied her lithe, almost serpentine motions…”

-Worms of the Earth

This reader has difficulty shaking the notion—based on Howard’s usage—that in his mind the term evoked Lilith, first wife of the biblical Adam. According to fellow reviewer, V.J. Waks, Howard’s use of lithe amounts to overuse.