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light1 definition

light (līt)

noun

    1. the form of electromagnetic radiation that acts upon the retina of the eye, optic nerve, etc., making sight possible: this energy is transmitted in a vacuum at a velocity of 299,792,458 meters per second (c. 186,000 miles per second)
    2. a form of radiant energy similar to this, but not acting on the normal retina, as ultraviolet and infrared radiation
  2. the rate of flow of light radiation with respect to the sense of sight: it is measured in lumens
  3. the sensation that light stimulates in the organs of sight
  4. brightness; illumination, often of a specified kind the dim light of a candle
  5. a source of light, as the sun, a lamp, a light bulb, etc.
  6. traffic light
  7. the light from the sun; daylight or dawn
  8. a thing by means of which something can be started burning a light for a cigar
  9. the means by which light is let in; window or windowpane
  10. mental illumination; knowledge or information; enlightenment to shed light on the past
  11. spiritual inspiration
  12. public knowledge or view to bring new facts to light
  13. the way in which something is seen; aspect presented in a favorable light
  14. facial expression showing a mental or emotional state a light of recognition in his eyes
  15. a person whose brilliant record makes him or her an example for others; outstanding figure one of the shining lights of the school
    1. the quality suggesting light created in a painting, drawing, etc., esp. in certain areas
    2. such an area

Etymology: ME liht < OE lēoht, akin to Ger licht < IE base *leuk-, to shine, bright > Gr leukos, white, L lux & lumen, light, lucere, to shine, luna, moon, Welsh llug, gleam

adjective

  1. having light; not dark; bright
  2. pale in color; whitish; fair

Etymology: ME liht < OE leoht

adverb

not brightly; in a pale way a light blue color

transitive verb lighted light′ed or lit, lighting light′·ing

  1. to set on fire; ignite to light a bonfire
  2. to cause to give off light to light a lamp
  3. to give light to; furnish with light; illuminate lamps light the streets
  4. to brighten; animate
  5. to show the way to by giving light a beacon lights the ships to harbor

Etymology: ME lighten < OE lihtan

intransitive verb

  1. to catch fire the fuse lighted at once
  2. to be lighted; brighten: usually with up
light Idioms

according to one's lights

as one's opinions, information, or standards may direct

in the light of

with knowledge of; considering

light up

  1. to make or become light
  2. to make or become bright, cheerful, etc.
  3. Informal to begin smoking (a cigar, etc.)

see the light (of day)

  1. to come into existence
  2. to come to public view
  3. ☆ to understand

stand in one's own light

to harm one's reputation by acting unwisely

strike a light

to make a flame, as with a match
light2 definition

light (līt)

adjective

  1. having little weight; not heavy
  2. having little weight for its size; of low specific gravity
  3. below the usual or defined weight a light coin
  4. less than usual or normal in amount, extent, intensity, force, etc.; specif.,
    1. striking or making contact with little force or impact a light blow
    2. of less than the usual quantity or density a light vote, a light rain
    3. not thick, coarse, or massive; delicate and graceful in structure light tracery
    4. not violent or intense; mild a light wind
    5. soft, muted, or muffled a light sound
    6. not prolonged or intense light applause
    7. not deep; easily disturbed a light sleep
  5. of little importance; not serious or profound light conversation
  6. easy to bear; not burdensome a light tax
  7. easy to do; not difficult light housekeeping
  8. not burdened with grief or sorrow; happy; buoyant light spirits
  9. of a flighty nature; frivolous; capricious
  10. loose in morals; wanton
  11. dizzy; giddy
  12. of an amusing or nonserious nature light reading
  13. containing little alcohol light wine
  14. containing fewer calories than others of its kind light beer
  15. characterized by qualities suggestive of little weight; not dense, hard, full, etc.; specif.,
    1. not as full as usual; moderate a light meal
    2. easy to digest
    3. well leavened; soft and spongy a light cake
    4. loose in consistency; easily crumbled; porous light sand
  16. moving with ease and nimbleness light on one's feet
  17. able to carry little weight or cargo a light vehicle
  18. unstressed or slightly stressed: said of a syllable in phonetics, prosody, etc.
  19. designating or of an industry equipped with relatively light machinery and producing relatively small products
  20. designating, of, or equipped with weapons, armor, ships, etc. of a relatively small size or light weight
  21. Informal
    1. lacking personnel; short-handed
    2. owing (a specified sum) to the pot in poker light fifty cents

Etymology: ME < OE lēoht, akin to Ger leicht, Du licht < IE *lengwhto- < base *legwh-, light in movement and weight > L levis, Gr elaphros

adverb

  1. lightly
  2. with little luggage, cargo, etc. to travel light

intransitive verb lighted light′ed or lit, lighting light′·ing

  1. Now Dial. to get down from a horse or vehicle; dismount; alight
  2. to come to rest after traveling through the air ducks lighting on the pond
  3. to come or happen (on or upon) by chance
  4. to fall or strike suddenly, as a blow

Etymology: ME lihten < OE līhtan: also aphetic for alight

Related Forms:

light Idioms

light in the head

  1. dizzy; giddy
  2. simple; foolish

light into

☆ Informal
  1. to attack
  2. to scold; berate

light out

☆
Informal to depart suddenly

make light of

to treat as trifling or unimportant; pay little or no attention to

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms light idiom

medical light definition - medical

telecom light definition - telecom

light Synonyms

light

modif.

  1. Having illumination

    illuminated, radiant, luminous; see bright 1.

  2. Having color

    vivid, rich, clear; see bright 2.

  3. Having little content

    superficial, slight, frivolous; see trivial, unimportant.

  4. Having gaiety and spirit

    lively, merry, animated; see jaunty.

  5. Having little weight

    airy, fluffy, feathery, imponderable, slender, downy, floating, lighter than air, light as air, floatable, gossamery, light as a feather, frothy, buoyant, easy, dainty, filmy, veil-like, tissuelike, thin, sheer, gaseous, effervescent, unsubstantial, insubstantial, ethereal, graceful, charming, weightless, atmospheric; see also volatile 1.

    Antonyms heavy*, ponderous*, weighty. *

  6. Digestible

    slight, edible, moderate; see edible.

  7. Small in quantity or number

    wee, small, tiny, minute, thin, inadequate, minuscule, insufficient, hardly enough, not much, hardly any, not many, slender, scanty, slight, moderate, puny, sparse, fragmentary, fractional, shredlike; see also dainty 1, few.

    Antonyms large*, great*, immense. *

  8. Wanton

    carnal, immodest, indecent; see lewd 2, sensual.

make light of

make fun of, mock, belittle; see neglect 1, ridicule.


light

n.

  1. The condition opposed to darkness

    radiance, luminous energy, luminosity, brilliance, splendor, irradiation, glare, brightness, clearness, lightness, brilliancy, coruscation, incandescence, scintillation, shine, fulgor, refulgence, emanation, lucency, luster, sheen, sparkle, glitter, glow, glimmer, glister, effulgence, resplendence, flood of light, blare, radiation, gleam.

    Antonyms darkness*, blackness*, blankness.

  2. Emanations from a source of light

    radiation, stream, blaze; see beam 2, flash 1, ray.

  3. A source of light

    lamp, lantern, match, wick, sun, planet, star, moon, lightning, torch, flashlight, chandelier, spotlight, halo, nimbus, northern lights, aurora borealis, aureole, corona; see also bulb, candle, lamp.

  4. Day

    daylight, daytime, sun, sunrise; see day 2.

  5. Aspect

    point of view, condition, standing; see circumstances 2.

  6. Basis for understanding

    enlightenment, information, education; see data, knowledge 1.

in light of

with knowledge of, because of, in view of, in consideration of; see considering.

see the light (of day)

  1. come into being, exist, begin; see be.

  2. comprehend, realize, be aware;

stand in one's own light

harm oneself, act carelessly, act thoughtlessly, err; see fail 1.

strike a light

inflame, cause to burn, kindle; see burn 2, ignite.


light

v.

  1. To provide light

    illuminate, illumine, illume, lighten, give light to, shine upon, furnish with light, light up, turn on the electricity, make a light, make visible, provide adequate illumination, provide adequate candlepower, turn on a light, switch on a light, floodlight, throw light upon, make bright, flood with light, animate, fill with light, irradiate; see also brighten 1.

    Antonyms shade*, put out*, darken. *

  2. To cause to ignite

    inflame, spark, kindle; see burn 2, ignite.

  3. To become ignited

    take fire, become inflamed, flame; see burn 1, ignite.

  4. To come to rest from flight or travel

    perch, roost, rest, alight, fly down, come down, disembark, settle on, stop, drop, sit down, debus, come to rest, get down, detrain, unhorse, settle down; see also arrive 1.

    Antonyms fly*, soar off, take off.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

light Usage Examples

Object

  • candle: I may not of knew her, but I will honor her and light a candle in her memory.

Converse of object

  • shed: The report also draws on recent research in this arena to shed light on the issues relating to learner support.

Adjective modifier

  • bright: You can also amuse yourself watching the local fishermen shining bright lights on the waters to attract squid.

Modifies a noun

  • bulb: On a lighter note, how many WA crew members do you think it takes to change a light bulb?

Used with adjective complement

  • shed: The release of pupil progress data for 2003 will shed further light on this.

Noun used with modifier

  • traffic: Through traffic lights, take left lane over railroad bridge.
light usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

light quotes

I prefer you to take as your model a mediocre sculpture rather than an excellent painting, for from painted objects we train our hand only to make a likeness, whereas from sculptures we learn to represent both likeness and correct incidence of light.

-Alberti, Leon Battista

A chair should be judged by one's pants, a jewel by the light in a lady's eyes, a typewriter by the hovering fingers.

-Anonymous

Is it so small a thing To have enjoyed the sun, To have lived light in the spring, To have loved, to have thought, to have done.

-Arnold, Matthew

light quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
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  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/light

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