~ 1
■ 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.
↘( ~s ) traffic ~s.
↘ Law the ~ falling on windows, the obstruction of which by a neighbour is illegal.
2》 an expression in someone's eyes.
↘understanding; en~enment: ~ dawned in her eyes.
↘( ~s ) 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 ~ 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 ~ed )
1》 provide with ~.
↘( ~ up ) become illuminated.
↘( ~ up ) (of the face or eyes) suddenly display liveliness or joy.
2》 ignite or be ignited.
↘( ~ something up ) ignite a cigarette, cigar, or pipe and begin to smoke it.
■ adjective
1》 having a considerable or sufficient amount of ~.
2》 (of a colour) pale.
Phrases
bring (or come ) to ~ make (or become) widely known or evident.
go out like a ~ informal fall asleep or lose consciousness suddenly.
in a —— ~ in the way specified: the audit portrayed them in a favourable ~.
in (the) ~ of taking (something) into consideration.
~ at the end of the tunnel an indication that a period of difficulty is ending.
the ~ of day general public attention.
the ~ of someone's life a much loved person.
see the ~ understand or realize something.
↘undergo religious conversion.
see the ~ of day be born.
↘come into existence.
throw (or cast or shed ) ~ on help to explain by providing further information.
Derivatives
~ish adjective
~less adjective
~ness noun
Origin
OE lēoht , līht (n. and adjective), līhtan (v.), of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ adjective
1》 of little weight.
↘deficient in weight.
↘carrying or suitable for small loads.
↘carrying only ~ 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: ~ 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 ~ heart.
↘easily borne or done: some ~ 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 ~ on be rather short of.
make ~ of treat as unimportant.
make ~ work of accomplish quickly and easily.
travel ~ travel with little luggage.
Derivatives
~ish adjective
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
OE lēocht , līht (n.), lēohte (adverb), of Gmc origin.
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~ 3
■ verb ( past and past participle lit or ~ed )
1》 ( ~ on/upon ) come upon or discover by chance.
2》 archaic descend.
↘( ~ on ) fall or land on.
3》 ( ~ into ) N. Amer. informal criticize severely; attack.
4》 ( ~ out ) N. Amer. informal depart hurriedly.
Origin
OE līhtan , from ~ 2 ; cf. a~ 1 .