light

light¹

noun

1》 the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible; electromagnetic radiation from about 390 to 740 nm in wavelength.

    ↘a source of illumination.

    ↘(lights) traffic lights.

    ↘Law the light falling on windows, the obstruction of which by a neighbour is illegal.

2》 an expression in someone's eyes.

    ↘understanding; enlightenment: light dawned in her eyes.

    ↘(lights) a person's opinions, standards, and abilities.

3》 an area that is brighter or paler than its surroundings.

4》 a device producing a flame or spark.

5》 a window or opening to let light in.

    ↘a perpendicular division of a mullioned window.

    ↘a pane of glass in a greenhouse or cold frame.

6》 a person eminent in a particular sphere.

verb (past lit; past participle lit or lighted)

1》 provide with light.

    ↘(light up) become illuminated.

    ↘(light up) (of the face or eyes) suddenly display liveliness or joy.

2》 ignite or be ignited.

    ↘(light something up) ignite a cigarette, cigar, or pipe and begin to smoke it.

adjective

1》 having a considerable or sufficient amount of light.

2》 (of a colour) pale.

Phrases

bring (or come) to light make (or become) widely known or evident.

go out like a light informal fall asleep or lose consciousness suddenly.

in a —— light in the way specified: the audit portrayed them in a favourable light.

in (the) light of taking (something) into consideration.

light at the end of the tunnel an indication that a period of difficulty is ending.

the light of day general public attention.

the light of someone's life a much loved person.

see the light understand or realize something.

↘undergo religious conversion.

see the light of day be born.

↘come into existence.

throw (or cast or shed) light on help to explain by providing further information.

Derivatives

lightish adjective

lightless adjective

lightness noun

Origin

OE lēoht, līht (n. and adjective), līhtan (v.), of Gmc origin.

————————

light²

adjective

1》 of little weight.

    ↘deficient in weight.

    ↘carrying or suitable for small loads.

    ↘carrying only light armaments.

    ↘(of a vehicle, ship, etc.) unladen or with less than a full load.

    ↘(of soil) friable, porous, and workable.

2》 not strongly or heavily built.

3》 relatively low in density, amount, or intensity: light autumn rains.

    ↘(of food or a meal) small in quantity and easy to digest.

    ↘low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, or alcohol.

4》 gentle or delicate.

    ↘(of type) having thin strokes.

5》 not profound or serious.

    ↘free from worry: I left with a light heart.

    ↘easily borne or done: some light housework.

6》 (of sleep or a sleeper) easily disturbed.

7》 Physics containing atoms of an isotope of relatively low mass.

8》 archaic (of a woman) promiscuous.

Phrases

be light on be rather short of.

make light of treat as unimportant.

make light work of accomplish quickly and easily.

travel light travel with little luggage.

Derivatives

lightish adjective

lightly adverb

lightness noun

Origin

OE lēocht, līht (n.), lēohte (adverb), of Gmc origin.

————————

light³

verb (past and past participle lit or lighted)

1》 (light on/upon) come upon or discover by chance.

2》 archaic descend.

    ↘(light on) fall or land on.

3》 (light into) N. Amer. informal criticize severely; attack.

4》 (light out) N. Amer. informal depart hurriedly.

Origin

OE līhtan, from light²; cf. alight¹.