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bring to light

 [lahyt]   Origin

light

1   [lahyt] noun, adjective, light·er, light·est, verb, light·ed or lit, light·ing.
noun
1.
something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
2.
Physics.
a.
Also called luminous energy, radiant energy. electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nm and propagated at a speed of 186,282 mi./sec (299,972 km/sec), considered variously as a wave, corpuscular, or quantum phenomenon.
b.
a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.
3.
the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.
4.
an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
5.
the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.
EXPAND
6.
the illumination from the sun; daylight: We awoke at the first light.
7.
daybreak or dawn: when light appeared in the east.
8.
daytime: Summer has more hours of light.
9.
a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance: viewing the portrait in dim light.
10.
a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match: Could you give me a light?
11.
a traffic light: Don't cross till the light changes.
12.
the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded: Try to look at the situation in a more cheerful light.
13.
the state of being visible, exposed to view, or revealed to public notice or knowledge; limelight: Stardom has placed her in the light.
14.
a person who is an outstanding leader, celebrity, or example; luminary: He became one of the leading lights of Restoration drama.
15.
Art.
a.
the effect of light falling on an object or scene as represented in a picture.
b.
one of the brightest parts of a picture.
16.
a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes.
17.
a measure or supply of light; illumination: The wall cuts off our light.
18.
spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment.
19.
Architecture.
a.
Also called day. one compartment of a window or window sash.
b.
a window, especially a small one.
20.
mental insight; understanding.
21.
lights, the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed: to act according to one's lights.
22.
a lighthouse.
23.
Archaic. the eyesight.
COLLAPSE
adjective
24.
having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted: the lightest room in the entire house.
25.
pale, whitish, or not deep or dark in color: a light blue.
26.
(of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.

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Bring to light is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
verb (used with object)
27.
to set burning, as a candle, lamp, fire, match, or cigarette; kindle; ignite.
28.
to turn or switch on (an electric light): One flick of the master switch lights all the lamps in the room.
29.
to give light to; furnish with light or illumination: The room is lighted by two large chandeliers.
30.
to make (an area or object) bright with or as if with light (often followed by up): Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
31.
to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, especially with joy, animation, or the like (often followed by up): A smile lit up her face. Her presence lighted up the room.
EXPAND
32.
to guide or conduct with a light: a candle to light you to bed.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
33.
to take fire or become kindled: The damp wood refused to light.
34.
to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usually followed by up): He took out a pipe and lighted up before speaking.
35.
to become illuminated when switched on: This table lamp won't light.
36.
to become bright, as with light or color (often followed by up): The sky lights up at sunset.
37.
to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often followed by up).
Idioms
38.
bring to light, to discover or reveal: The excavations brought to light the remnants of an ancient civilization.
39.
come to light, to be discovered or revealed: Some previously undiscovered letters have lately come to light.
40.
hide one's light under a bushel, to conceal or suppress one's talents or successes.
41.
in a good/bad light, under favorable (or unfavorable) circumstances: She worshiped him, but then she'd only seen him in a good light.
42.
in (the) light of, taking into account; because of; considering: It was necessary to review the decision in the light of recent developments.
EXPAND
43.
light at the end of the tunnel, a prospect of success, relief, or redemption: We haven't solved the problem yet, but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
44.
see the light,
a.
to come into existence or being.
b.
to be made public.
c.
to begin to accept or understand a point of view one formerly opposed: Her father was opposed to her attending an out-of-town college, but he finally saw the light.
45.
shed/throw light on, to clarify; clear up: His deathbed confession threw light on a mystery of long standing.
COLLAPSE
Origin:
before 900; (noun and adj.) Middle English; Old English lēoht; cognate with Old Saxon lioht, Old Frisian liacht, Dutch, German licht, Gothic liuhath (noun); akin to Old Norse ljōs (noun), ljōss (adj.), Latin lūx (noun), Greek leukós bright, white; (v.) Middle English lighten, Old English līhtan, cognate with Old Saxon liuhtian, Old High German liuhten (German leuchten), Gothic liuhtjan

Related forms
light·ful, adjective
light·ful·ly, adverb

Can be confused: lighted, lit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To bring to light
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

light
"touch down," from O.E. lihtan "to alight," from P.Gmc. *linkhtijan, lit. "to make light," from *lingkhtaz "not heavy" (see light (adj.)). Apparently the ground sense is "to dismount a horse, etc., and thus relieve it of one's weight." To light out "leave hastily" is 1870,
EXPAND
from a nautical meaning "move out, move heavy objects," of unknown origin but perhaps belonging to this word.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

light (līt)
n.

  1. Electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength in the range from about 4,000 (violet) to about 7,700 (red) angstroms and may be perceived by the normal unaided human eye.

  2. Electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
light   (līt)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. It is made up of electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 4 × 10-7 and 7 × 10-7 meters. Light, and all other electromagnetic radiation, travels at a speed of about 299,728 km (185,831 mi) per second in a vacuum. See also photon.

  2. Electromagnetic energy of a wavelength just outside the range the human eye can detect, such as infrared light and ultraviolet light. See Note at electromagnetic radiation.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

light definition


The type of electromagnetic wave that is visible to the human eye. Visible light runs along a spectrum from the short wavelengths of violet to the longer wavelengths of red. (See photon.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

light definition


  1. mod.
    alcohol intoxicated. : I began to feel a little light along about the fourth beer.
  2. n.
    an eye. (Crude. Usually plural.) : You want I should poke your lights out?
  3. n.
    a police car. : A couple of lights turned the corner just as the robbers were pulling away.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

bring to light

Reveal or disclose something previously hidden or secret, as in After careful investigation all the facts of the case were brought to light. This term uses light in the sense of "public knowledge." [First half of 1500s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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