light
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light (līt)
noun
- 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)
- a form of radiant energy similar to this, but not acting on the normal retina, as ultraviolet and infrared radiation
- the rate of flow of light radiation with respect to the sense of sight: it is measured in lumens
- the sensation that light stimulates in the organs of sight
- brightness; illumination, often of a specified kind the dim light of a candle
- a source of light, as the sun, a lamp, a light bulb, etc.
- traffic light
- the light from the sun; daylight or dawn
- a thing by means of which something can be started burning a light for a cigar
- the means by which light is let in; window or windowpane
- mental illumination; knowledge or information; enlightenment to shed light on the past
- spiritual inspiration
- public knowledge or view to bring new facts to light
- the way in which something is seen; aspect presented in a favorable light
- facial expression showing a mental or emotional state a light of recognition in his eyes
- a person whose brilliant record makes him or her an example for others; outstanding figure one of the shining lights of the school
- the quality suggesting light created in a painting, drawing, etc., esp. in certain areas
- 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
- having light; not dark; bright
- pale in color; whitish; fair
Etymology: ME liht < OE leoht
adverb
transitive verb lighted light′ed or lit, lighting light′·ing
- to set on fire; ignite to light a bonfire
- to cause to give off light to light a lamp
- to give light to; furnish with light; illuminate lamps light the streets
- to brighten; animate
- to show the way to by giving light a beacon lights the ships to harbor
Etymology: ME lighten < OE lihtan
intransitive verb
- to catch fire the fuse lighted at once
- to be lighted; brighten: usually with up
according to one's lights
in the light of
light up
- to make or become light
- to make or become bright, cheerful, etc.
- Informal to begin smoking (a cigar, etc.)
see the light (of day)
- to come into existence
- to come to public view
- ☆ to understand
stand in one's own light
strike a light
light (līt)
adjective
- having little weight; not heavy
- having little weight for its size; of low specific gravity
- below the usual or defined weight a light coin
- less than usual or normal in amount, extent, intensity, force, etc.; specif.,
- striking or making contact with little force or impact a light blow
- of less than the usual quantity or density a light vote, a light rain
- not thick, coarse, or massive; delicate and graceful in structure light tracery
- not violent or intense; mild a light wind
- soft, muted, or muffled a light sound
- not prolonged or intense light applause
- not deep; easily disturbed a light sleep
- of little importance; not serious or profound light conversation
- easy to bear; not burdensome a light tax
- easy to do; not difficult light housekeeping
- not burdened with grief or sorrow; happy; buoyant light spirits
- of a flighty nature; frivolous; capricious
- loose in morals; wanton
- dizzy; giddy
- of an amusing or nonserious nature light reading
- containing little alcohol light wine
- containing fewer calories than others of its kind light beer
- characterized by qualities suggestive of little weight; not dense, hard, full, etc.; specif.,
- not as full as usual; moderate a light meal
- easy to digest
- well leavened; soft and spongy a light cake
- loose in consistency; easily crumbled; porous light sand
- moving with ease and nimbleness light on one's feet
- able to carry little weight or cargo a light vehicle
- unstressed or slightly stressed: said of a syllable in phonetics, prosody, etc.
- designating or of an industry equipped with relatively light machinery and producing relatively small products
- designating, of, or equipped with weapons, armor, ships, etc. of a relatively small size or light weight
- Informal
- lacking personnel; short-handed
- 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
- lightly
- with little luggage, cargo, etc. to travel light
intransitive verb lighted light′ed or lit, lighting light′·ing
- Now Dial. to get down from a horse or vehicle; dismount; alight
- to come to rest after traveling through the air ducks lighting on the pond
- to come or happen (on or upon) by chance
- to fall or strike suddenly, as a blow
Etymology: ME lihten < OE līhtan: also aphetic for alight
Related Forms:
- lightish light′·ish adjective
light in the head
- dizzy; giddy
- simple; foolish
light into
☆ Informal- to attack
- to scold; berate
light out
☆make light of
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
light
modif.
Having illumination
illuminated, radiant, luminous; see bright 1.Having color
Having little content
superficial, slight, frivolous; see trivial, unimportant.Having gaiety and spirit
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.Digestible
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.Wanton
make light of
light
n.
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. Emanations from a source of light
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.Day
Aspect
point of view, condition, standing; see circumstances 2.Basis for understanding
enlightenment, information, education; see data, knowledge 1.
in light of
see the light (of day)
stand in one's own light
strike a light
light
v.
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.To cause to ignite
To become ignited
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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MLA Style
"light." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/light>
APA Style
light. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/light

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