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light - 25 dictionary results
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light

1  [lahyt] noun, adjective, -er, -est, verb, light⋅ed or lit, light⋅ing.
Use light in a Sentence
–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
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light

2  [lahyt] adjective, -er, -est, adverb, -er, -est, noun
–adjective
1. of little weight; not heavy: a light load.
2. of little weight in proportion to bulk; of low specific gravity: a light metal.
3. of less than the usual or average weight: light clothing.
4. weighing less than the proper or standard amount: to be caught using light weights in trade.
5. of small amount, force, intensity, etc.: light trading on the stock market; a light rain; light sleep.
6. using or applying little or slight pressure or force: The child petted the puppy with light, gentle strokes.
7. not distinct; faint: The writing on the page had become light and hard to read.
8. easy to endure, deal with, or perform; not difficult or burdensome: light duties.
9. not very profound or serious; amusing or entertaining: light reading.
10. of little importance or consequence; trivial: The loss of his job was no light matter.
11. easily digested: light food.
12. low in any substance, as sugar, starch, or tars, that is considered harmful or undesirable: light cigarettes.
13. (of alcoholic beverages)
a. not heavy or strong: a light apéritif.
b. (esp. of beer and wine) having fewer calories and usually a lower alcohol content than the standard product.
14. spongy or well-leavened, as cake.
15. (of soil) containing much sand; porous or crumbly.
16. slender or delicate in form or appearance: a light, graceful figure.
17. airy or buoyant in movement: When she dances, she's as light as a feather.
18. nimble or agile: light on one's feet.
19. free from trouble, sorrow, or worry; carefree: a light heart.
20. cheerful; gay: a light laugh.
21. characterized by lack of proper seriousness; frivolous: light conduct.
22. sexually promiscuous; loose.
23. easily swayed; changeable; volatile: a heart light of love; His is a life of a man light of purpose.
24. dizzy; slightly delirious: I get light on one martini.
25. Military. lightly armed or equipped: light cavalry.
26. having little or no cargo, encumbrance, or the like; not burdened: a light freighter drawing little water.
27. adapted by small weight or slight build for small loads or swift movement: The grocer bought a light truck for deliveries.
28. using small-scale machinery primarily for the production of consumer goods: light industry.
29. Nautical. noting any sail of light canvas set only in moderate or calm weather, as a royal, skysail, studdingsail, gaff topsail, or spinnaker.
30. Meteorology. (of wind) having a speed up to 7 mph (3 m/sec). Compare light air, light breeze.
31. Phonetics. (of l-sounds) resembling a front vowel in quality; clear: French l is lighter than English l.
32. Prosody. (of a syllable)
a. unstressed.
b. short.
33. Poker. being in debt to the pot: He's a dollar light.
–adverb
34. lightly: to travel light.
35. with no load or cargo hauled or carried: a locomotive running light to its roundhouse.
–noun
36. a light product, as a beer or cigarette.
—Idiom
37. make light of, to treat as unimportant or trivial: They made light of our hard-won victory.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE lēoht, līht; c. OFris li(u)cht, OS -līht, D licht, G leicht, ON lēttr, Goth leihts

Synonyms:
7. indistinct; faded. 10. trifling, inconsiderable. 19. cheery, happy. 21. flighty.

Antonyms:
1. heavy.

light

3  [lahyt]
–verb (used without object), light⋅ed or lit, light⋅ing.
1. to get down or descend, as from a horse or a vehicle.
2. to come to rest, as on a spot or thing; fall or settle upon; land: The bird lighted on the branch. My eye lighted on some friends in the crowd.
3. to come by chance; happen; hit (usually fol. by on or upon): to light on a clue; to light on an ideal picnic spot.
4. to fall, as a stroke, weapon, vengeance, or choice, on a place or person: The choice lighted upon our candidate.
—Verb phrases
5. light into, Informal. to make a vigorous physical or verbal attack on: He would light into anyone with the slightest provocation.
6. light out, Slang. to leave quickly; depart hurriedly: He lit out of here as fast as his legs would carry him.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME lihten, OE līhtan to make light, relieve of a weight; see light 2

lights

  [lahyts]
–plural noun
the lungs, esp. of sheep, pigs, etc.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME lihte, lightes, n. use of liht light 2 ; cf. lung
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To light
light 1   (līt)   
n.  
  1. Physics
    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.
    3. A source of light, especially a lamp, a lantern, or an electric lighting fixture: Turn out the lights when you leave.
    4. The illumination derived from a source of light: by the light of the moon.
    5. The particular quantity or quality of such illumination: moved the lamp closer to get better light.
    6. The pathway or route of such illumination to a person: You're standing in his light.
    7. Daylight.
    8. Dawn; daybreak.
    9. Something that provides information or clarification: threw some light on the question.
    10. A state of awareness or understanding, especially as derived from a particular source: in the light of experience.
  2. The sensation of perceiving light; brightness: a sudden light that made me blink.
    1. A source of light, especially a lamp, a lantern, or an electric lighting fixture: Turn out the lights when you leave.
    2. The illumination derived from a source of light: by the light of the moon.
    3. The particular quantity or quality of such illumination: moved the lamp closer to get better light.
    4. The pathway or route of such illumination to a person: You're standing in his light.
    5. Daylight.
    6. Dawn; daybreak.
    7. Something that provides information or clarification: threw some light on the question.
    8. A state of awareness or understanding, especially as derived from a particular source: in the light of experience.
  4. A mechanical device that uses illumination as a signal or warning, especially a beacon or traffic signal.
    1. Daylight.
    2. Dawn; daybreak.
    3. Something that provides information or clarification: threw some light on the question.
    4. A state of awareness or understanding, especially as derived from a particular source: in the light of experience.
  6. Something, such as a window, that admits illumination.
  7. Architecture One of two or more openings in a window divided by a mullion or mullions.
  8. A source of fire, such as a match or cigarette lighter.
  9. Spiritual awareness; illumination.
    1. Something that provides information or clarification: threw some light on the question.
    2. A state of awareness or understanding, especially as derived from a particular source: in the light of experience.
  11. Public attention; general knowledge: brought the scandal to light.
  12. A way of looking at or considering a matter; an aspect: saw the situation in a different light.
  13. Archaic Eyesight.
  14. lights One's individual opinions, choices, or standards: acted according to their own lights.
  15. A person who inspires or is adored by another: My daughter is the light of my life.
  16. A prominent or distinguished person; a luminary: one of the leading lights of the theater.
  17. An expression of the eyes: a strange light in her eyes.
  18. Light In Quaker doctrine, the guiding spirit or divine presence in each person.
  19. The representation of light in art.
v.   light·ed or lit (lĭt), light·ing, lights

v.   tr.
  1. To set on fire; ignite or kindle.
  2. To cause to give out light; make luminous: lit a lamp.
  3. To provide, cover, or fill with light; illuminate: fireworks lighting the sky.
  4. To signal, direct, or guide with or as if with illumination.
  5. To enliven or animate: A smile lit her face.
v.   intr.
  1. To start to burn; be ignited or kindled: Green wood does not light easily.
  2. To emit light; be lighted: Wait until the indicator lights up.
adj.   light·er, light·est
    1. Having a greater rather than lesser degree of lightness.
    2. Of or being an additive primary color.
  2. Characterized by or filled with light; bright: a room that is light when the shutters are open.
  3. Not dark in color; fair: light hair and skin.
  4. Served with milk or cream. Used of coffee.
Phrasal Verb(s):
light up
  1. To become or cause to become animated or cheerful.
  2. To start smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

Idiom(s):
in (the) light ofIn consideration of; in relationship to.

Idiom(s):
light a fire underTo urge or move to action.

Idiom(s):
light at the end of the tunnelThe prospect of success, relief, or escape after strenuous effort.

[Middle English, from Old English lēoht, līht; see leuk- in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: Lighted and lit are equally acceptable as past tense and past participle of light. Both forms are also well established as adjectives: a lighted (or lit) candle.
light 2   (līt)   
adj.   light·er, light·est
    1. Of relatively little weight; not heavy: a light load.
    2. Of relatively little weight for its size or bulk: Balsa is a light wood.
    3. Of less than the correct, standard, or legal weight: a light pound.
    4. Of little quantity; scanty: light snow.
    5. Consuming or using relatively moderate amounts; abstemious: a light eater; a light smoker.
    6. Not harsh or severe: gave the offender a light sentence.
    7. Easily digested: a light supper.
    8. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries.
    9. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant.
    10. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
  2. Exerting little force or impact; gentle: a light pat.
  3. Indistinct; faint: light print that I could barely make out.
    1. Of little quantity; scanty: light snow.
    2. Consuming or using relatively moderate amounts; abstemious: a light eater; a light smoker.
    3. Not harsh or severe: gave the offender a light sentence.
    4. Easily digested: a light supper.
    5. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries.
    6. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant.
    7. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
  5. Demanding little exertion or effort; not burdensome: light household tasks.
  6. Having little importance; insignificant: light, idle chatter.
  7. Intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound: a light comedy.
  8. Free from worries or troubles; blithe: a light heart.
  9. Characterized by frivolity; silly or trivial.
  10. Liable to change; fickle.
  11. Mildly dizzy or faint: felt light in the head.
  12. Lacking in ethical discrimination.
  13. Moving easily and quickly; nimble: The dancer was light and graceful.
  14. Designed for ease and quickness of movement; having a relatively slim structure and little weight: light aircraft.
  15. Designed to carry relatively little weight: a light truck.
  16. Carrying little equipment or armament: light cavalry; light tanks.
  17. Requiring relatively little equipment and using relatively simple processes to produce consumer goods: light industry.
  18. Easily awakened or disturbed: a light sleeper.
    1. Easily digested: a light supper.
    2. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries.
    3. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant.
    4. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
  20. Having a loose, porous consistency: light soil.
  21. Containing a relatively small amount of a potentially harmful ingredient, such as alcohol, fat, or sodium: light beer; light mayonnaise.
  22. Linguistics
    1. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant.
    2. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
adv.   lighter, lightest
  1. In a light manner; lightly.
  2. With little weight and few burdens: traveling light.
intr.v.   light·ed or lit (lĭt), light·ing, lights
  1. To get down, as from a vehicle or horse; dismount.
  2. To descend to the ground after flight; land.
  3. To come upon one unexpectedly: Misfortune lighted upon him.
  4. 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Light

Light\ (l[imac]t), n. [OE. light, liht, AS. le['o]ht; akin to OS. lioht, D. & G. licht, OHG. lioht, Goth. liuha[thorn], Icel. lj[=o]s, L. lux light, lucere to shine, Gr. leyko`s white, Skr. ruc to shine. [root]122. Cf. Lucid, Lunar, Luminous, Lynx.]

1. That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous.

Note: Light was regarded formerly as consisting of material particles, or corpuscules, sent off in all directions from luminous bodies, and traversing space, in right lines, with the known velocity of about 186,300 miles per second; but it is now generally understood to consist, not in any actual transmission of particles or substance, but in the propagation of vibrations or undulations in a subtile, elastic medium, or ether, assumed to pervade all space, and to be thus set in vibratory motion by the action of luminous bodies, as the atmosphere is by sonorous bodies. This view of the nature of light is known as the undulatory or wave theory; the other, advocated by Newton (but long since abandoned), as the corpuscular, emission, or Newtonian theory. A more recent theory makes light to consist in electrical oscillations, and is known as the electro-magnetic theory of light.

2. That which furnishes, or is a source of, light, as the sun, a star, a candle, a lighthouse, etc.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in. --Acts xvi. 29.

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. --Gen. i. 16.

3. The time during which the light of the sun is visible; day; especially, the dawn of day.

The murderer, rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy. --Job xxiv. 14.

4. The brightness of the eye or eyes.

He seemed to find his way without his eyes; For out o' door he went without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me. --Shak.

5. The medium through which light is admitted, as a window, or window pane; a skylight; in architecture, one of the compartments of a window made by a mullion or mullions.

There were windows in three rows, and light was against light in three ranks. --I Kings vii.4.

6. Life; existence.

O, spring to light, auspicious Babe, be born! --Pope.

7. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.

The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light. --Shak.

8. The power of perception by vision.

My strength faileth me; as for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me. --Ps. xxxviii. 10.

9. That which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information.

He shall never know That I had any light of this from thee. --Shak.

10. Prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity.

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily. --Is. lviii. 8.

11. (Paint.) The manner in which the light strikes upon a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; -- opposed to shade. Cf. Chiaroscuro.

12. Appearance due to the particular facts and circumstances presented to view; point of view; as, to state things fairly and put them in the right light.

Frequent consideration of a thing . . . shows it in its several lights and various ways of appearance. --South.

13. One who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the lights of the age or of antiquity.

Joan of Arc, A light of ancient France. --Tennyson.

14. (Pyrotech.) A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal light.

Note: Light is used figuratively to denote that which resembles physical light in any respect, as illuminating, benefiting, enlightening, or enlivening mankind.

Ancient lights (Law), Calcium light, Flash light, etc. See under Ancient, Calcium, etc.

Light ball (Mil.), a ball of combustible materials, used to afford light; -- sometimes made so as to be fired from a cannon or mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket.

Light barrel (Mil.), an empty powder barrel pierced with holes and filled with shavings soaked in pitch, used to light up a ditch or a breach.

Light dues (Com.), tolls levied on ships navigating certain waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses.

Light iron, a candlestick. [Obs.]

Light keeper, a person appointed to take care of a lighthouse or light-ship.

Light money, charges laid by government on shipping entering a port, for the maintenance of lighthouses and light-ships.

The light of the countenance, favor; kindness; smiles.

Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. --Ps. iv. 6.

Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora.

To bring to light, to cause to be disclosed.

To come to light, to be disclosed.

To see the light, to come into the light; hence, to come into the world or into public notice; as, his book never saw the light.

To stand in one's own light, to take a position which is injurious to one's own interest.

Light

Light\ (l[imac]t), a. [AS. le['o]ht. See Light, n.] [Compar. Lighter (-[~e]r); superl. Lightest.]

1. Having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear; as, the apartment is light.

2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade; moderately colored; as, a light color; a light brown; a light complexion.

Light

Light\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lighted (-[e^]d) or Lit (l[i^]t); p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.] [AS. l[=y]htan, l[=i]htan, to shine. [root]122. See Light, n.]

1. To set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning; to ignite; to kindle; as, to light a candle or lamp; to light the gas; -- sometimes with up.

If a thousand candles be all lighted from one. --Hakewill.

And the largest lamp is lit. --Macaulay.

Absence might cure it, or a second mistress Light up another flame, and put out this. --Addison.

2. To give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread over with light; -- often with up.

Ah, hopeless, lasting flames ! like those that burn To light the dead. --Pope.

One hundred years ago, to have lit this theater as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds. --F. Harrison.

The sun has set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, has lighted up the sky. --Dryden.

3. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.

His bishops lead him forth, and light him on. --Landor.

To light a fire, to kindle the material of a fire.

Light

Light\, v. i. 1. To become ignited; to take fire; as, the match will not light.

2. To be illuminated; to receive light; to brighten; -- with up; as, the room lights up very well.

Light

Light\, a. [Compar. Lighter (-[~e]r); superl. Lightest.] [OE. light, liht, AS. l[=i]ht, le['o]ht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG. l[=i]hti, Icel. l[=e]ttr, Dan. let, Sw. l["a]tt, Goth. leihts, and perh. to L. levis (cf. Levity), Gr. 'elachy`s small, Skr. laghu light. [root]125. ]

1. Having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to the center of gravity with force; not heavy.

These weights did not exert their natural gravity, . . . insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. --Addison.

2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical strength; as, a light burden, or load.

Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. --Matt. xi. 29, 30.

3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a light affliction or task. --Chaucer.

Light sufferings give us leisure to complain. --Dryden.

4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food; also, containing little nutriment.

5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse.

6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.

Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away. --Bacon.

7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted; as, the ship returned light.

8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. --Shak.

9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread.

10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light rain; a light snow; light vapors.

11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind.

12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy, graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light style of execution.

13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind.

There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion. --Tillotson.

14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial.

Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. --Shak.

Specimens of New England humor laboriously light and lamentably mirthful. --Hawthorne.

15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.

Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain ? --Shak.

16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered.

To a fair semblance doth light faith annex. --Spenser.

17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character.

A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak.

18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished; as, light coin.

19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil.

Light cavalry, Light horse (Mil.), light-armed soldiers mounted on strong and active horses.

Light eater, one who eats but little.

Light infantry, infantry soldiers selected and trained for rapid evolutions.

Light of foot. (a) Having a light step. (b) Fleet.

Light of heart, gay, cheerful.

Light oil (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water, forming the chief part of the first distillate of coal tar, and consisting largely of benzene and toluene.

Light sails (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails, with, also, the studding sails and flying jib. --Dana.

Light sleeper, one easily wakened.

Light weight, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey, who is below a standard medium weight. Cf. Feather weight, under Feather. [Cant]

To make light of, to treat as of little consequence; to slight; to disregard.

To set light by, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise.

Light

Light\ (l[imac]t), adv. Lightly; cheaply. --Hooker.

Light

Light\, v. t. [See Light not heavy, and cf. Light to alight, and Lighten to make less heavy.] To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off. [Obs.]

From his head the heavy burgonet did light. --Spenser.

Light

Light\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lighted (-[e^]d) or Lit (l[i^]t); p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.] [AS. l[=i]htan to alight, orig., to relieve (a horse) of the rider's burden, to make less heavy, fr. l[=i]ht light. See Light not heavy, and cf. Alight, Lighten to make light.]

1. To dismount; to descend, as from a horse or carriage; to alight; -- with from, off, on, upon, at, in.

When she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. --Gen. xxiv. 64.

Slowly rode across a withered heath, And lighted at a ruined inn. --Tennyson.

2. To feel light; to be made happy. [Obs.]

It made all their hearts to light. --Chaucer.

3. To descend from flight, and rest, perch, or settle, as a bird or insect.

[The bee] lights on that, and this, and tasteth all. --Sir. J. Davies.

On the tree tops a crested peacock lit. --Tennyson.

4. To come down suddenly and forcibly; to fall; -- with on or upon.

On me, me only, as the source and spring Of all corruption, all the blame lights due. --Milton.

5. To come by chance; to happen; -- with on or upon; formerly with into.

The several degrees of vision, which the assistance of glasses (casually at first lit on) has taught us to conceive. --Locke.

They shall light into atheistical company. --South.

And here we lit on Aunt Elizabeth, And Lilia with the rest. --Tennyson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : light
Spanish: luz,
German: das Licht,
Japanese: 光
More Translations »

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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light  (n.)
"brightness," O.E. leht, earlier leoht, from W.Gmc. *leukhtam (cf. O.Fris. liacht, M.Du. lucht, Ger. Licht), from PIE *leuk- "light, brightness" (cf. Skt. rocate "shines;" Arm. lois "light," lusin "moon;" Gk. leukos "bright, shining, white;" L. lucere "to shine," lux "light," lucidus "clear;" O.C.S. luci "light;" Lith. laukas "pale;" Welsh llug "gleam, glimmer;" O.Ir. loche "lightning," luchair "brightness;" Hittite lukezi "is bright"). The -gh- was an Anglo-Fr. scribal attempt to render the O.E. hard -h- sound, which has since disappeared. The fig. spiritual sense was in O.E.; the sense of "mental illumination" is first recorded c.1449. Meaning "something used for igniting" is from 1684. Lighthouse is from 1622; light bulb is from 1884. The verb is from O.E. lyhtan (cf. O.S. liohtian, Ger. leuchten, Goth. liuhtjan).

light  (adj.)
"not heavy," from O.E. leoht, from P.Gmc. *lingkhtaz (cf. O.N. lettr, Swed. lätt, O.Fris., M.Du. licht, Ger. leicht, Goth. leihts), from PIE base *le(n)gwh- "light, easy, agile, nimble" (cf. L. levis "light;" see lever). The notion in make light of (1526) is of "unimportance." Alternate spelling lite, preferred by advertisers, is first recorded 1962. Light-fingered "thievish" is from 1547; light-headed "dizzy" is from 1537; light-hearted "cheerful" is from c.1400. Light-weight is 1773 in pugilism and horse-racing; figurative sense of "inconsequential" first attested 1809. Light-skirts "woman of easy virtue" is attested from 1597.

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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Main Entry: 1light
Pronunciation: 'lIt
Function: noun
1 a : the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors b : an electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range including infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and X rays and traveling in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers)per second; specifically : the part of this range that is visible to the human eye
2 : a source of light

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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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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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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LIGHT
LIfecycle Global HyperText.
A project in the CERN ECP/TP group whereby documents resulting from the software life cycle are available as hypertext.
(1995-02-03)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Light

the offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). "All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light" (1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance of the redeemed (Col. 1:12; Rev. 21:23-25). God is said to dwell in light inaccessible (1 Tim. 6:16). It frequently signifies instruction (Matt. 5:16; John 5:35). In its highest sense it is applied to Christ as the "Sun of righteousness" (Mal. 4:2; Luke 2:32; John 1:7-9). God is styled "the Father of lights" (James 1:17). It is used of angels (2 Cor. 11:14), and of John the Baptist, who was a "burning and a shining light" (John 5:35), and of all true disciples, who are styled "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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light

In addition to the idioms beginning with light, also see begin to see daylight (see the light of day); bring to light; come to light; go light on; green light; heavy (light) heart; hide one's light; in a good (bad) light; in the cold light of day; in the light of; lace (light) into; leading light; make light of; many hands make light work; once over lightly; out cold (like a light); see the light; shed light on; sweetness and light; travel light; trip the light fantastic.

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