light 2  (līt) 
adj.
light·er, light·est
Of relatively little weight; not heavy: a light load. Of relatively little weight for its size or bulk: Balsa is a light wood. Of less than the correct, standard, or legal weight: a light pound. Of little quantity; scanty: light snow. Consuming or using relatively moderate amounts; abstemious: a light eater; a light smoker. Not harsh or severe: gave the offender a light sentence. Easily digested: a light supper. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
Exerting little force or impact; gentle: a light pat. Indistinct; faint: light print that I could barely make out. Of little quantity; scanty: light snow. Consuming or using relatively moderate amounts; abstemious: a light eater; a light smoker. Not harsh or severe: gave the offender a light sentence. Easily digested: a light supper. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
Demanding little exertion or effort; not burdensome: light household tasks. Having little importance; insignificant: light, idle chatter. Intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound: a light comedy. Free from worries or troubles; blithe: a light heart. Characterized by frivolity; silly or trivial. Liable to change; fickle. Mildly dizzy or faint: felt light in the head. Lacking in ethical discrimination. Moving easily and quickly; nimble: The dancer was light and graceful. Designed for ease and quickness of movement; having a relatively slim structure and little weight: light aircraft. Designed to carry relatively little weight: a light truck. Carrying little equipment or armament: light cavalry; light tanks. Requiring relatively little equipment and using relatively simple processes to produce consumer goods: light industry. Easily awakened or disturbed: a light sleeper. Easily digested: a light supper. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
Having a loose, porous consistency: light soil. Containing a relatively small amount of a potentially harmful ingredient, such as alcohol, fat, or sodium: light beer; light mayonnaise. Linguistics Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
adv.
lighter, lightest
In a light manner; lightly. With little weight and few burdens: traveling light.
intr.v.
light·ed or lit (lĭt), light·ing, lights
To get down, as from a vehicle or horse; dismount. To descend to the ground after flight; land. To come upon one unexpectedly: Misfortune lighted upon him. To come upon by chance or accident. Used with on or upon: lit on the perfect solution to the problem.
Phrasal Verb(s):
light into Informal To attack verbally or physically; assail.
light out Informal To leave hastily; run off.
Idiom(s):
go light onTo treat casually or gingerly.
[Middle English, from Old English lēoht, līht; see legwh- in Indo-European roots.] |
