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alight

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Alight is defined as something that is glowing or illuminated.

(adjective)

A Christmas tree that has 500 lights is an example of a tree that is alight.

Alight means to get off or out of something or to land on something.

(verb)

To get off of an airplane is an example of alight.

See alight in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb alighted or alit, alighting

to get down or off; dismount
to come down after flight; descend and settle
Rare to come (on or upon) accidentally

Origin: ME alighten < OE ālīhtan < a-, out, off + līhtan, to dismount, render light < liht: see light (to dismount)

adjective

lighted; burning
lighted up

Origin: ME aliht, pp. of alihten < OE alihtan, to light up

See alight in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb a·light·ed or a·lit (ə-lĭtˈ), a·light·ing, a·lights

To come down and settle, as after flight: a sparrow alighting on a branch.
To get down, as from a vehicle; dismount: The queen alighted from the carriage.
To come by chance: alight on a happy solution.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English alighten

Origin: , from Old English ālīhtan

Origin: : ā-, intensive pref.

Origin: + līhtan, to relieve of a burden (from līht, light; see light²)

adjective

Burning; lighted: The discarded match was still alight.
Illuminated: The sky was alight with millions of stars.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , past participle of alighten, to set on fire

Origin: , from Old English ālīhtan, to illuminate

Origin: : ā-, intensive pref.

Origin: + līhtan, to shine (from lēoht, a light; see light¹)

Related Forms:

a·lightˈ adverb

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