I. ˈlīt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lēoht; akin to Old High German lioht light, Latin luc-, lux light, lucēre to shine, Greek leukos white
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : something that makes vision possible
b. : the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
c. : electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength and traveling in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second ; specifically : such radiation 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 light
b. : a particular aspect or appearance presented to view
saw the matter in a different light
7. : a particular illumination
8. : something that enlightens or informs
shed some light on the problem
9. : a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted
10. plural : a set of principles, standards, or opinions
worship according to one's light s — Adrienne Koch
11. : a noteworthy person in a particular place or field
a leading light among current writers
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 (as a cigarette)
•
- in the light of
II. adjective
Date: before 12th century
1. : having light : bright
a light airy room
2.
a. : not dark, intense, or swarthy in color or coloring : pale
b. of colors : medium in saturation and high in lightness
light blue
3. of coffee : served with extra milk or cream
III. verb
( lit ˈlit ; or light·ed ; light·ing )
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to become light : brighten — usually used with up
her face lit up
2. : to take fire
3. : to ignite something (as a cigarette) — often used with up
transitive verb
1. : to set fire to
2.
a. : to conduct with a light : guide
b. : illuminate
rockets light up the sky
c. : animate , brighten
a smile lit up her face
IV. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lēoht; akin to Old High German līhti light, Latin levis, Greek elachys small
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : having little weight : not heavy
b. : designed to carry a comparatively small load
a light truck
c. : having relatively little weight in proportion to bulk
aluminum is a light metal
d. : containing less than the legal, standard, or usual weight
a light coin
2.
a. : of little importance : trivial
b. : not abundant
light rain
a light lunch
3.
a. : easily disturbed
a light sleeper
b. : exerting a minimum of force or pressure : gentle
a light touch
c. : resulting from a very slight pressure : faint
light print
4.
a. : easily endurable
a light illness
b. : requiring little effort
light work
5. : capable of moving swiftly or nimbly
light on his feet
6.
a. : frivolous 1a
light conduct
b. : lacking in stability : changeable
light opinions
c. : sexually promiscuous
7. : free from care : cheerful
8. : less powerful but usually more mobile than usual for its kind
light cavalry
a light cruiser
9.
a. : made with a lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient (as salt, fat, or alcohol) than usual
light beer
light salad dressing
b. : having a relatively mild flavor
10.
a. : easily digested
a light soup
b. : well leavened
a light crust
11. : coarse and sandy or easily pulverized
light soil
12. : dizzy , giddy
felt light in the head
13. : intended chiefly to entertain
light verse
light comedy
14.
a. : carrying little or no cargo
the ship returned light
b. : producing goods for direct consumption by the consumer
light industry
15. : not bearing a stress or accent
a light syllable
16. : having a clear soft quality
a light voice
17. : being in debt to the pot in a poker game
three chips light
18. : short 5d
light on experience
19. : casual , occasional
a light smoker
Synonyms: see easy
• light·ish ˈlī-tish adjective
V. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : lightly
2. : with little baggage
travel light
VI. intransitive verb
( lit ˈlit ; or light·ed ; light·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English līhtan; akin to Old English lēoht light in weight
Date: before 12th century
1. : dismount
2. : settle , alight
a bird lit on the lawn
3. : to fall unexpectedly — usually used with on or upon
4. : to arrive by chance : happen — usually used with on or upon
lit upon a solution
•
- light into