ALIGHT


Meaning of ALIGHT in English

I. əˈlīt, usu -d.+V intransitive verb

( alighted -īd.ə̇d, -ītə̇d ; or sometimes alit əˈlit ; alighted ; alighting ; alights )

Etymology: Middle English alighten to alight, alighten, from Old English ālīhtan, from ā- (perfective prefix) + līhtan to alight, lighten — more at abear , light

1. : to spring down, get down, or descend (as from horseback or from a vehicle) : dismount

2. : to descend and settle after falling or flying : lodge , land

a bird alights on a twig

snow alighting on a roof

3. archaic : fall : come down and strike

4. archaic : to come by chance — used with upon

alight upon a solution

Synonyms: see descend

II. adjective

Etymology: Middle English, alteration of alighted, past participle of alighten to light up, from Old English alīhtan, from a- (I) + līhtan to light — more at light

: lighted up : in a flame : lighted

the sky alight with stars

his face alight with inspiration

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.