[light] n [ME, fr. OE leoht; akin to OHG lioht light, L luc-, lux light, lucere to shine, Gk leukos white] (bef. 12c) 1 a: something that makes vision possible b: the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors c: an electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range including infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and X rays and traveling in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second; specif: the part of this range that is visible to the human eye
2. a: daylight b: dawn
3: a source of light: as a: a celestial body b: candle c: an electric light
4. archaic: sight 4a
5. a: spiritual illumination b: inner light c: enlightenment d: truth
6. a: public knowledge "facts brought to ~" b: a particular aspect or appearance presented to view "saw the matter in a different ~" 7: a particular illumination 8: something that enlightens or informs "shed some ~ on the problem" 9: a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted
10. pl: a set of principles, standards, or opinions "worship according to one's ~s --Adrienne Koch" 11: a noteworthy person in a particular place or field 12: a particular expression of the eye 13 a: lighthouse, beacon b: traffic light 14: the representation of light in art 15: a flame for lighting something -- in the light of 1: from the point of view of
2. or in light of : in view of
[2]light adj (bef. 12c) 1: having light: bright "a ~ airy room"
2. a: not dark, intense, or swarthy in color or coloring: pale b of colors: medium in saturation and high in lightness "~ blue" 3 of coffee: served with extra milk or cream [3]light vb lit or light.ed ; light.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1: to become light: brighten--usu. used with up "her face lit up"
2: to take fire
3: to ignite something (as a cigarette)--often used with up ~ vt 1: to set fire to
2. a: to conduct with a light: guide b: illuminate "rockets ~ up the sky" c: animate, brighten "a smile lit up her face" [4]light adj [ME, fr. OE leoht; akin to OHG lihti light, L levis, Gk elachys small] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having little weight: not heavy b: designed to carry a comparatively small load "a ~ truck" c: having relatively little weight in proportion to bulk "aluminum is a ~ metal" d: containing less than the legal, standard, or usual weight "a ~ coin"
2. a: of little importance: trivial b: not abundant "~ rain" "a ~ lunch" 3 a: easily disturbed "a ~ sleeper" b: exerting a minimum of force or pressure: gentle "a ~ touch" c: resulting from a very slight pressure: faint "~ print"
4. a: easily endurable "a ~ illness" b: requiring little effort "~ work"
5: capable of moving swiftly or nimbly "~ on his feet"
6. a: frivolous 1a "~ conduct" b: lacking in stability: changeable "~ opinions" c: sexually promiscuous 7: free from care: cheerful 8: less powerful but usu. more mobile than usual for its kind "~ cavalry"
9. a: made with a lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient (as salt, fat, or alcohol) than usual "~ beer" "~ salad dressing" b: having a relatively mild flavor
10. a: easily digested "a ~ soup" b: well leavened "a ~ crust" 11: coarse and sandy or easily pulverized "~ soil" 12: dizzy, giddy "felt ~ in the head" 13: intended chiefly to entertain "~ verse" "~ comedy" 14 a: carrying little or no cargo "the ship returned ~" b: producing goods for direct consumption by the consumer "~ industry" 15: not bearing a stress or accent "a ~ syllable" 16: having a clear soft quality "a ~ voice" 17: being in debt to the pot in a poker game "three chips ~" 18: short 5d "~ on experience" syn see easy -- light.ish adj [5]light adv (bef. 12c) 1: lightly
2: with little baggage "travel ~" [6]light vi lit or light.ed ; light.ing [ME, fr. OE lihtan; akin to OE leoht light in weight] (bef. 12c) 1: dismount
2: settle, alight "a bird lit on the lawn"
3: to fall unexpectedly--usu. used with on or upon
4: to arrive by chance: happen--usu. used with on or upon "lit upon a solution" -- light into : to attack forcefully "I lit into that food until I'd finished off the heel of the loaf --Helen Eustis"