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day

 - 19 dictionary results
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day

  [dey]
Use day in a Sentence
–noun
1. the interval of light between two successive nights; the time between sunrise and sunset: Since there was no artificial illumination, all activities had to be carried on during the day.
2. the light of day; daylight: The owl sleeps by day and feeds by night.
3. Astronomy.
a. Also called mean solar day. a division of time equal to 24 hours and representing the average length of the period during which the earth makes one rotation on its axis.
b. Also called solar day. a division of time equal to the time elapsed between two consecutive returns of the same terrestrial meridian to the sun.
c. Also called civil day. a division of time equal to 24 hours but reckoned from one midnight to the next. Compare lunar day, sidereal day.
4. an analogous division of time for a planet other than the earth: the Martian day.
5. the portion of a day allotted to work: an eight-hour day.
6. a day on which something occurs: the day we met.
7. (often initial capital letter) a day assigned to a particular purpose or observance: New Year's Day.
8. a time considered as propitious or opportune: His day will come.
9. a day of contest or the contest itself: to win the day.
10. Often, days. a particular time or period: the present day; in days of old.
11. Usually, days. period of life or activity: His days are numbered.
12. period of existence, power, or influence: in the day of the dinosaurs.
13. light 1 (def. 19a).
—Idioms
14. call it a day, to stop one's activity for the day or for the present; quit temporarily: After rewriting the paper, she decided to call it a day.
15. day in, day out, every day without fail; regularly: They endured the noise and dirt of the city day in, day out. Also, day in and day out.
Origin:
bef. 950; ME; OE dæg; c. G Tag
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Day

  [dey]
–noun
1. Benjamin Henry, 1810–89, U.S. newspaper publisher.
2. Clarence (Shep⋅ard)  [shep-erd] , 1874–1935, U.S. author.
3. Dorothy, 1897–1980, U.S. Roman Catholic social activist, journalist, and publisher.
4. Also, Daye. Stephen, 1594?–1668, U.S. colonist, born in England: considered the first printer in the Colonies.

light

1  [lahyt] noun, adjective, -er, -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.
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, esp. 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.
–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.
–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 fol. by up): Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
31. to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, esp. with joy, animation, or the like (often fol. by up): A smile lit up her face. Her presence lighted up the room.
32. to guide or conduct with a light: a candle to light you to bed.
–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 fol. 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 fol. by up): The sky lights up at sunset.
37. to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often fol. 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 (or 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.
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 or throw light on, to clarify; clear up: His deathbed confession threw light on a mystery of long standing.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n. and adj.) ME; OE lēoht; c. OS lioht, OFris liacht, D, G licht, Goth liuhath (n.); akin to ON ljōs (n.), ljōss (adj.), L lūx (n.), Gk leukós bright, white; (v.) ME lighten, OE līhtan, c. OS liuhtian, OHG liuhten (G leuchten), Goth liuhtjan

Related forms:
lightful, adjective
light⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To day
day   (dā)   
n.  

  1. The period of light between dawn and nightfall; the interval from sunrise to sunset.

    1. The 24-hour period during which the earth completes one rotation on its axis.

    2. The period during which a celestial body makes a similar rotation.

    3. A specific, characteristic period in one's lifetime: In Grandmother's day, skirts were long.

    4. A period of opportunity or prominence: Every defendant is entitled to a day in court. That child will have her day.

  3. Abbr. D One of the numbered 24-hour periods into which a week, month, or year is divided.

  4. The portion of a 24-hour period that is devoted to work, school, or business: an eight-hour day; a sale that lasted for three days.

  5. A 24-hour period or a portion of it that is reserved for a certain activity: a day of rest.

    1. A specific, characteristic period in one's lifetime: In Grandmother's day, skirts were long.

    2. A period of opportunity or prominence: Every defendant is entitled to a day in court. That child will have her day.

  7. A period of time in history; an era: We studied the tactics used in Napoleon's day. The day of computer science is well upon us.

  8. days Period of life or activity: The sick cat's days will soon be over.

adj.  

  1. Of or relating to the day.

  2. Working during the day: the day nurse.

  3. Occurring before nightfall: a day hike.


[Middle English dai, day, from Old English dæg; see agh- in Indo-European roots.]
Day   (dā)   
American printer and journalist who founded the first penny newspaper, the New York Sun (1833). His son Benjamin (1838-1916) invented the Ben Day process for shading printed illustrations.
Day, Clarence Shepard, Jr. 1874-1935.  
American writer best known for his autobiographical Life with Father (1935) and Life with Mother (published 1937).
Day, Dorothy 1897-1980.  
American journalist and reformer who cofounded the Catholic Worker in 1933 to promote pacifism and social justice.
Day or Daye   (dā)   
English-born colonist who was the first printer in New England. His Bay Psalm Book appeared in 1640.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

light

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.
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Slang Dictionary
light

  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.
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Word Origin & History

day 
O.E. dæg, from P.Gmc. *dagaz, from PIE *dhegh-. Not considered to be related to L. dies (see diurnal), but rather to Skt. dah "to burn," Lith. dagas "hot season," O.Prus. dagis "summer." Meaning originally, in Eng., "the daylight hours," expanded to mean "the 24-hour period" in late O.E. Daydream is 1685 (n.), 1820 (v.). Day off first recorded 1883; day-tripper first recorded 1897; daylight in slang sense of "clear open space between two things" is from 1820. Day-Glo is 1951, proprietary name (Dane & Co. of London) for a brand of fluorescent paint. The days in nowadays, etc. is a relic of the O.E. and M.E. use of the adverbial genitive.

light  (v.)
"touch down," from O.E. lihtan "to alight," from P.Gmc. *linkhtijan, lit. "to make light," from *lingkhtaz "not heavy." 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, from a nautical meaning "move out, move heavy objects," of unknown origin but perhaps belonging to this word.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2light
Variant: or lite
Function: adjective
: made with a lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient (as salt, fat,or alcohol) than usual <light salad dressing>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.
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Science Dictionary
day   (dā)  Pronunciation Key 
See under sidereal time, solar day.
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.
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Bible Dictionary

Day

The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Lev. 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps. 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1 Sam. 11:11; Neh. 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Gen. 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (Lam. 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Judg. 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex. 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mark 13:35). (See WATCHES.) The division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Dan. 3:6, 15; 4:19; 5:5. This mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. The reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (John 11:9). The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Gen. 2:4; Isa. 22:5; Heb. 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isa. 2:12, Acts 17:31, and 2 Tim. 1:18, the great day of final judgment.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms & Phrases

day

In addition to the idioms beginning with day, also see all in a day's work; any day; apple a day; bad hair day; break of day; by the day; call it a day; carry the day; different as night and day; dog days; every dog has its day; field day; for days on end; forever and a day; from this day forward; good day; had its day; happy as the day is long; heavenly days; in all one's born days; in the cold light of day; in this day and age; late in the day; make a day of it; make one's day; name the day; night and day; not give someone the time of day; not one's day; one of these days; order of the day; pass the time (of day); plain as day; rainy day; red-letter day; Rome wasn't built in a day; salad days; save the day; seen better days; see the light of day; that'll be the day; the other day; time of day; tomorrow is another day; win through (the day).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
DAY
James M. Cox Dayton [OH] International Airport
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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