The term 'lightly fry' is often used to describe the cooking technique of sauteing. Sauteing is a method of cooking food in a pan over medium-high heat with a small amount of fat or oil. This technique is used to quickly cook food while preserving its flavor and texture. The food is usually cut into small pieces and cooked until it is lightly browned. The term 'lightly fry' is often used interchangeably with sauteing, as they are both similar cooking techniques.