light
Light is defined as radiation that acts upon on the retina of the eye to make site possible.
(noun)An example of light is the sun.
The definition of light is being pale, not deep or dark.
(adjective)An example of light is the color of baby blue.
Light means to make something burn or illuminate.
(verb)An example of light is to use a match to make a candle burn.
See light in Webster's New World College Dictionary
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
Origin: 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
Origin: ME liht < OE leoht
adverb
transitive verb lighted or lit, lighting
- 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
Origin: ME lighten < OE lihtan
intransitive verb
- to catch fire: the fuse lighted at once
- to be lighted; brighten: usually with up
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
Origin: 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 or lit, lighting
- 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
Origin: ME lihten < OE līhtan: also aphetic for alight
Related Forms:
- lightish adjective
See light in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Physics a. 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.b. Electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength.
- The sensation of perceiving light; brightness: a sudden light that made me blink.
- a. A source of light, especially a lamp, a lantern, or an electric lighting fixture: Turn out the lights when you leave.b. The illumination derived from a source of light: by the light of the moon.c. The particular quantity or quality of such illumination: moved the lamp closer to get better light.d. The pathway or route of such illumination to a person: You're standing in his light.
- A mechanical device that uses illumination as a signal or warning, especially a beacon or traffic signal.
- a. Daylight.b. Dawn; daybreak.
- Something, such as a window, that admits illumination.
- Architecture One of two or more openings in a window divided by a mullion or mullions.
- A source of fire, such as a match or cigarette lighter.
- Spiritual awareness; illumination.
- a. Something that provides information or clarification: threw some light on the question.b. A state of awareness or understanding, especially as derived from a particular source: in the light of experience.
- Public attention; general knowledge: brought the scandal to light.
- A way of looking at or considering a matter; an aspect: saw the situation in a different light.
- Archaic Eyesight.
- lights One's individual opinions, choices, or standards: acted according to their own lights.
- A person who inspires or is adored by another: My daughter is the light of my life.
- A prominent or distinguished person; a luminary: one of the leading lights of the theater.
- An expression of the eyes: a strange light in her eyes.
- Light In Quaker doctrine, the guiding spirit or divine presence in each person.
- The representation of light in art.
- To set on fire; ignite or kindle.
- To cause to give out light; make luminous: lit a lamp.
- To provide, cover, or fill with light; illuminate: fireworks lighting the sky.
- To signal, direct, or guide with or as if with illumination.
- To enliven or animate: A smile lit her face.
- To start to burn; be ignited or kindled: Green wood does not light easily.
- To emit light; be lighted: Wait until the indicator lights up.
- a. Having a greater rather than lesser degree of lightness.b. Of or being an additive primary color.
- Characterized by or filled with light; bright: a room that is light when the shutters are open.
- Not dark in color; fair: light hair and skin.
- Served with milk or cream. Used of coffee.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , 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.adjective light·er, light·est
- a. Of relatively little weight; not heavy: a light load.b. Of relatively little weight for its size or bulk: Balsa is a light wood.c. Of less than the correct, standard, or legal weight: a light pound.
- Exerting little force or impact; gentle: a light pat.
- Indistinct; faint: light print that I could barely make out.
- a. Of little quantity; scanty: light snow.b. Consuming or using relatively moderate amounts; abstemious: a light eater; a light smoker.c. Not harsh or severe: gave the offender a light sentence.
- 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.
- a. Easily digested: a light supper.b. Having a spongy or flaky texture; well-leavened: light pastries.
- 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 a. Of, relating to, or being a syllable ending in a short vowel or a short vowel plus a consonant.b. Of, relating to, or being a vowel or syllable pronounced with little or no stress.
- In a light manner; lightly.
- With little weight and few burdens: traveling light.
- 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.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English lēoht, līht; see legwh- in Indo-European roots
.See light in Ologies
Light
the study of the chemical effects of light in the violet and ultraviolet wavelengths. —actinologic, actinological, adj.
the measurement of the heating power of light in the violet and ultraviolet range. —actinometrist, n. —actinometric, actinometrical, adj.
the ratio between the light reflected from a surf ace and the total light falling upon that surf ace, as the albedo of the moon.
double refraction; the separation of light into two unequally refracted, polarized rays, as by some crystals. —birefringent, adj.
catadioptrics
the study of the reflection and refraction of light. —catadioptric, catadioptrical, adj.
the study of light reflection. —catoptric, catoptrical, adj. —catoptrically, adv.
the condition or quality of changing in color or luster depending on the angle of light, especially of a gemstone that reflects a single shaft of light when cut in cabochon form. —chatoyant, adj.
a property, peculiar to certain crystals, of reflecting light in two different colors when viewed from two different directions. —dichroic, adj.
the study of light refraction. —dioptric, adj.
the state or condition of being colored like a rainbow or like the light shining through a prism. —iridescent, adj.
iriscope
a polished black glass, the surface of which becomes iridescent when it is breathed upon through a tube.
rotation toward the left; counterclockwise rotation, a characteristic of the plane of polarization of light. —levorotatory, adj.
lithophany
the process of impressing porcelain objects, as lamp bases, with figures that become translucent when light is placed within or behind them. —lithophanic, adj.
any thing or creature that shines or glows in the dark, especially a phosphorescent or bioluminescent marine or other organism. —noctilucine, adj.
opties
the study of the properties of light. Also called photology. —optic, optical, adj.
pharology
the study of signal lights, especially lighthouses.
phengophobia
an abnormal fear of daylight.
pain in the eyes caused by light.
photangiophobia
an abnormal fear of photalgia.
photics
the study of light.
photodrome
1. an apparatus that regulates light flashes so that a rotating object appears to be stationary or moving in a direction opposite to its actual motion.
2. an apparatus for producing unusual optical effects by flashing light upon disks bearing various figures, patterns, etc.
the science or study of light in relation to the movement of plants. —photodynamic, photodynamical, adj.
the process or art of creating and recording images of people, objects, and phenomena, essentially by means of reflected light or emanating radiation. —photographer, n. —photographic, photographical, adj.
movement of bodies, organisms, etc., in response to the stimulus of light. —photokinetic, adj.
photology
optics.
the breakdown of matter or materials under the influence of light. —photolytic, adj.
photomania
an abnormal love of light.
the measurement of the intensity of light. —photometrician, photometrist, n. —photometric, adj.
photopathy
a pathologic effect produced by light. —photopathic, adj.
the tendency to thrive in strong light, as plants. —photophilic, adj.
1. an abnormal fear of light.
2. Also called photodysphoria. a painful sensitivity to light, especially visually.
3. a tendency to thrive in reduced light, as certain plants.
the synthesis of complex organic substances from carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic salts, with sunlight as the energy source and a catalyst such as chlorophyll. —photosynthetic, adj.
the movement of an organism away from or toward a source of light. —phototactic, adj.
the treatment of disease, especially diseases of the skin, with light rays. —phototherapeutic, adj.
motion in a particular direction under the stimulus of light, as manifested by certain plants, organisms, etc. —phototropic, adj.
the measurement of the polarization of light, as with a polarimeter.
selaphobia
an abnormal fear or dislike of flashes of light.
a photograph of a spectrum. Also called spectrograph.
1. an optical device for breaking light down into a spectrum and recording the results photographically.
2. spectrogram. —spectrographic, adj.
the technique of using a spectrograph and producing spectrograms.
a form of Iuminescence created by friction. —triboluminescent, adj.
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