LIGHT
light
(adjective) characterized by or emitting light; “a room that is light when the shutters are open”; “the inside of the house was airy and light”
easy, light, loose, promiscuous, sluttish, wanton
(adjective) casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior; “her easy virtue”; “he was told to avoid loose (or light) women”; “wanton behavior”
light, light-colored
(adjective) (used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent; “light blue”; “light colors such as pastels”; “a light-colored powder”
light
(adjective) (used of soil) loose and large-grained in consistency; “light soil”
light, wakeful
(adjective) (of sleep) easily disturbed; “in a light doze”; “a light sleeper”; “a restless wakeful night”
light
(adjective) demanding little effort; not burdensome; “light housework”; “light exercise”
light, lite, low-cal, calorie-free
(adjective) having relatively few calories; “diet cola”; “light (or lite) beer”; “lite (or light) mayonnaise”; “a low-cal diet”
light
(adjective) easily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned; “a light diet”
light
(adjective) of comparatively little physical weight or density; “a light load”; “magnesium is a light metal--having a specific gravity of 1.74 at 20 degrees C”
light
(adjective) designed for ease of movement or to carry little weight; “light aircraft”; “a light truck”
light
(adjective) psychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles; “a light heart”
light
(adjective) not great in degree or quantity or number; “a light sentence”; “a light accent”; “casualties were light”; “light snow was falling”; “light misty rain”; “light smoke from the chimney”
light
(adjective) (physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average; “light water is ordinary water”
light
(adjective) of little intensity or power or force; “the light touch of her fingers”; “a light breeze”
light, lightsome, tripping
(adjective) moving easily and quickly; nimble; “the dancer was light and graceful”; “a lightsome buoyant step”; “walked with a light tripping step”
light
(adjective) of the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment; “light infantry”; “light cavalry”; “light industry”; “light weapons”
clean, clear, light, unclouded
(adjective) (of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims; “efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings”; “clear laughter like a waterfall”; “clear reds and blues”; “a light lilting voice like a silver bell”
idle, light
(adjective) silly or trivial; “idle pleasure”; “light banter”; “light idle chatter”
light
(adjective) intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound; “light verse”; “a light comedy”
light
(adjective) having little importance; “losing his job was no light matter”
unaccented, light, weak
(adjective) (used of vowels or syllables) pronounced with little or no stress; “a syllable that ends in a short vowel is a light syllable”; “a weak stress on the second syllable”
light, scant, short
(adjective) less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so; “a light pound”; “a scant cup of sugar”; “regularly gives short weight”
abstemious, light
(adjective) marked by temperance in indulgence; “abstemious with the use of adverbs”; “a light eater”; “a light smoker”; “ate a light supper”
light
(adjective) very thin and insubstantial; “thin paper”; “light summer dresses”
faint, light, swooning, light-headed, lightheaded
(adjective) weak and likely to lose consciousness; “suddenly felt faint from the pain”; “was sick and faint from hunger”; “felt light in the head”; “a swooning fit”; “light-headed with wine”; “light-headed from lack of sleep”
lightly, light
(adverb) with few burdens; “experienced travellers travel light”
light, light source
(noun) any device serving as a source of illumination; “he stopped the car and turned off the lights”
lighter, light, igniter, ignitor
(noun) a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires; “do you have a light?”
light, lightness
(noun) the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures; “he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark”
sparkle, twinkle, spark, light
(noun) merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance; “he had a sparkle in his eye”; “there’s a perpetual twinkle in his eyes”
luminosity, brightness, brightness level, luminance, luminousness, light
(noun) the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light; “its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun”
light
(noun) public awareness; “it brought the scandal to light”
light
(noun) mental understanding as an enlightening experience; “he finally saw the light”; “can you shed light on this problem?”
light
(noun) a particular perspective or aspect of a situation; “although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand”
light
(noun) a visual warning signal; “they saw the light of the beacon”; “there was a light at every corner”
light
(noun) an illuminated area; “he stepped into the light”
light
(noun) a person regarded very fondly; “the light of my life”
light, visible light, visible radiation
(noun) (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation; “the light was filtered through a soft glass window”
light, lighting
(noun) having abundant light or illumination; “they played as long as it was light”; “as long as the lighting was good”
light, illumination
(noun) a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination; “follow God’s light”
light, illume, illumine, light up, illuminate
(verb) make lighter or brighter; “This lamp lightens the room a bit”
fire, light, ignite
(verb) start or maintain a fire in; “fire the furnace”
unhorse, dismount, light, get off, get down
(verb) alight from (a horse)
alight, light, perch
(verb) to come to rest, settle; “Misfortune lighted upon him”
fall, light
(verb) fall to somebody by assignment or lot; “The task fell to me”; “It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims”
ignite, light
(verb) cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat; “Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter”; “Light a cigarette”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Proper noun
Light
A surname.
An unincorporated community in Greene County, Arkansas, United States.
(Islam) The 24th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an.
Etymology 1
Noun
light (countable and uncountable, plural lights)
(physics, uncountable) Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.
A source of illumination.
Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.
(in the plural, now, rare) Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.
A notable person within a specific field or discipline.
(painting) The manner in which the light strikes a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; opposed to shade.
A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.
A flame or something used to create fire.
A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.
A window, or space for a window in architecture.
The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.
(informal) A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.
Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.
The power of perception by vision.
The brightness of the eye or eyes.
A traffic light, or, by extension, an intersection controlled by one or more that will face a traveler who is receiving instructions.
Synonyms
• (electromagnetic wave perceived by the eye): visible light
• See also light source
Hypernyms
• (physics): electromagnetic radiation
Hyponyms
• ancient lights
• black light
• blue light
• booklight
• fanlight
• footlight
• floodlight
• gaslight
• headlight
• lamplight
• moonlight
• navigation light
• nightlight
• searchlight
• skylight
• spotlight
• sunlight
• twilight
• Very light
• white light
Etymology 2
Verb
light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lighted or lit)
(transitive) To start (a fire).
Synonym: set
Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
(transitive) To set fire to; to set burning.
Synonyms: ignite, kindle, conflagrate
Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
(transitive) To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.
Synonyms: illuminate, light up
• 19th century', Frederic Harrison, The Fortnightly Review
(intransitive) To become ignited; to take fire.
Synonyms: catch fire, ignite, conflagrate
To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.
(transitive, pinball) To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.
Etymology 3
Adjective
light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)
Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.
(of coffee) Served with extra milk or cream.
Synonyms
• (having light): bright, lightful
• (pale in colour): pale
• (coffee: served with extra milk or cream): white, with milk, with cream
Etymology 4
Adjective
light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)
Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.
Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished.
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered.
Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads.
(military) Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons.
(nautical, of a ship) Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light.
(rail transport, of a locomotive or consist of locomotives) Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose.
With low viscosity
(cookery) Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.
Gentle; having little force or momentum.
Easy to endure or perform.
Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.
Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.
(obsolete) Unchaste, wanton.
Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.
(dated) Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.
Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.
Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.
Easily interrupted by stimulation.
Synonyms
• (of little weight)
• (lightly-built): lightweight
• (having little force or momentum): delicate, gentle, soft
• (low in fat, calories, etc): lite, lo-cal (low in calories), low-alcohol (low in alcohol)
• (having little value or significance): inconsequential, trivial, unimportant
Antonyms
• (of little weight): heavy, weighty, burdensome
• (lightly-built): cumbersome, heavyweight, massive
• (having little force or momentum): forceful, heavy, strong
• (low in fat, calories, etc): calorific (high in calories), fatty (high in fat), strong (high in alcohol)
• (having little value or significance): crucial, important, weighty
Adverb
light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)
Carrying little.
Noun
light (plural lights)
(curling) A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
See lights (“lungs”).
Verb
light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lighted)
(nautical) To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter
To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.
Etymology 5
Verb
light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lighted or lit)
To find by chance.
To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice
(archaic) To alight; to land or come down.
Synonyms
• (find by chance): chance upon, come upon, find, happen upon, hit upon
• (alight): alight, land
Source: Wiktionary
Light, n. Etym: [OE.light, liht, AS. leĂłt; akin to OS. lioht, D. & G.
licht, OHG. lioht, Goth. liuhap, Icel. lj, L. lux light, lucere to
shine, Gr. ruc to shine. Lucid, Lunar, Luminous, Lynx.]
1. That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which
upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous.
Note: Light was regarded formerly as consisting of material
particles, or corpuscules, sent off in all directions from luminous
bodies, and traversing space, in right lines, with the known velocity
of about 186,300 miles per second; but it is now generally understood
to consist, not in any actual transmission of particles or substance,
but in the propagation of vibrations or undulations in a subtile,
elastic medium, or ether, assumed to pervade all space, and to be
thus set in vibratory motion by the action of luminous bodies, as the
atmosphere is by sonorous bodies. This view of the nature of light is
known as the undulatory or wave theory; the other, advocated by
Newton (but long since abandoned), as the corpuscular, emission, or
Newtonian theory. A more recent theory makes light to consist in
electrical oscillations, and is known as the electro-magnetic theory
of light.
2. That which furnishes, or is a source of, light, as the sun, a
star, a candle, a lighthouse, etc.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in. Acts xvi. 29.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and
the lesser light to rule the night. Gen. i. 16.
3. The time during which the light of the sun is visible; day;
especially, the dawn of day.
The murderer, rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy. Job
xxiv. 14.
4. The brightness of the eye or eyes.
He seemed to find his way without his eyes; For out o'door he went
without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me.
Shak.
5. The medium through which light is admitted, as a window, or window
pane; a skylight; in architecture, one of the compartments of a
window made by a mullion or mullions.
There were windows in three rows, and light was against light in
three ranks. I Kings vii.4.
6. Life; existence.
O, spring to light, auspicious Babe, be born ! Pope.
7. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation;
publicity.
The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never
bring them to light. Shak.
8. The power of perception by vision.
My strength faileth me; as for the light of my eyes, it also is gone
from me. Ps. xxxviii. 10.
9. That which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or
spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information.
He shall never know That I had any light of this from thee. Shak.
10. Prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity.
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall
spring forth speedily. Is. lviii. 8.
11. (Paint.)
Definition: The manner in which the light strikes upon a picture; that part
of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is
supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other
scene; -- opposed to shade. Cf. Chiaroscuro.
12. Appearance due to the particular facts and circumstances
presented to view; point of view; as, to state things fairly and put
them in the right light.
Frequent consideration of a thing . . . shows it in its several
lights and various ways of appearance. South.
13. One who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the
lights of the age or of antiquity.
Joan of Are, A light of ancient France. Tennyson.
14. (Pyrotech.)
Definition: A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns
brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal light.
Note: Light is used figuratively to denote that which resembles
physical light in any respect, as illuminating, benefiting,
enlightening, or enlivening mankind. Ancient lights (Law), Calcium
light, Flash light, etc. See under Ancient, Calcium, etc.
– Light ball (Mil.), a ball of combustible materials, used to
afford light; -- sometimes made so as to fired from a cannon or
mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket.
– Light barrel (Mil.), an empty power barrel pierced with holes and
filled with shavings soaked in pitch, used to light up a ditch or a
breach. --Light dues (Com.), tolls levied on ships navigating certain
waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses.
– Light iron, a candlestick. [Obs.] -- Light keeper, a person
appointed to take care of a lighthouse or light-ship.
– Light money, charges laid by government on shipping entering a
port, for the maintenance of lighthouses and light-ships.
– The light of the countenance, favor; kindness; smiles.
Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Ps. iv. 6.
– Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora.
– To bring to light, to cause to be disclosed.
– To come to light, to be disclosed.
– To see the light, to come into the light; hence, to come into the
world or public notice; as, his book never saw the light.
– To stand in one's own light, to take a position which is
injurious to one's own interest.
Light, a. Etym: [AS. leĂłht. See Light, n.] [Compar. Lighter; superl.
Lightest.]
1. Having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear; as, the
apartment is light.
2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade;
moderately colored; as, a light color; a light brown; a light
complexion.
Light, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lighted or Lit (p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.]
Etym: [AS. l, lihtan, to shine. Light, n.]
1. To set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning; to ignite; to
kindle; as, to light a candle or lamp; to light the gas; -- sometimes
with up.
If a thousand candles be all lighted from one. Hakewill.
And the largest lamp is lit. Macaulay.
Absence might cure it, or a second mistress Light up another flame,
and put out this. Addison.
2. To give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread
over with light; -- often with up.
Ah, hopeless, lasting flames I like those that burn To light the
dead. Pope.
One hundred years ago, to have lit this theater as brilliantly as it
is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds. F. Harrison.
The sun has set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, has lighted
up the sky. Dryden.
3. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of
a light.
His bishops lead him forth, and light him on. Landor.
To light a fire, to kindle the material of a fire.
Light, v. i.
1. To become ignited; to take fire; as, the match will not light.
2. To be illuminated; to receive light; to brighten; -- with up; as,
the room light up very well.
Light, a. [Compar. Lighted; superl. Lightest.] Etym: [OE. light,
liht, AS. liht, leĂłht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG.lihti, Icel.
l, Dan. let, Sw. lätt, Goth. leihts, and perh. to L. levis (cf.
Levity), Gr. laghu light.
1. Having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to be
the center of gravity with force; not heavy.
These weights did not exert their natural gravity . . . insomuch that
I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my
hand. Addison.
2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical
strength; as, a light burden, or load.
Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light. Matt. xi. 29. 30.
3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a
light affliction or task. Chaucer.
Light sufferings give us leisure to complain. Dryden.
4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light
food; also, containing little nutriment.
5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a
troop of light horse.
6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence,
active; nimble; swift.
Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always
best subjects, for they are light to run away. Bacon.
7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently
ballasted; as, the ship returned light.
8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. Shak.
9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread.
10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light
rain; a light snow; light vapors.
11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind.
12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy graceful
manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light style of execution.
13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by
trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as, a light,
vain person; a light mind.
There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than
profanely to scoff at religion. Tillotson.
14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or
solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial.
Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. Shak.
Specimens of New England humor laboriously light and lamentably
mirthful. Hawthorne.
15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy;
giddy.
Are his wits safe Is he not light of brain Shak.
16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered.
To a fair semblance doth light annex. Spenser.
17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character.
A light wife doth make a heavy husband. Shak.
18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished;
as, light coin.
19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil. Light cavalry,
Light horse (Mil.), light-armed soldiers mounted on strong and active
horses.
– Light eater, one who eats but little.
– Light infantry, infantry soldiers selected and trained for rapid
evolutions.
– Light of foot. (a) Having a light step. (b) Fleet.
– Light of heart, gay, cheerful.
– Light oil (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water, forming
the chief part of the first distillate of coal tar, and consisting
largely of benzene and toluene.
– Light sails (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails, with,
also, the studding sails and flying jib. Dana.
– Light sleeper, one easily wakened.
– Light weight, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey, who is
below a standard medium weight. Cf. Feather weight, under Feather.
[Cant] -- To make light of, to treat as of little consequence; to
slight; to disregard.
– To set light by, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no
importance; to despise.
Light, adv.
Definition: Lightly; cheaply. Hooker.
Light, v. t. Etym: [See Light not heavy, and cf. Light to alight, and
Lighten to make less heavy.]
Definition: To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off. [Obs.]
From his head the heavy burgonet did light. Spenser.
Light, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lighted or Lit (p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.]
Etym: [AS. lihtan to alight orig., to relieve (a horse) of the
rider's burden, to make less heavy, fr. liht light. See Light not
heavy, and cf. Alight, Lighten to make light.]
1. To dismount; to descend, as from a horse or carriage; to alight; -
- with from, off, on, upon, at, in.
When she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. Gen. xxiv. 64.
Slowly rode across a withered heath, And lighted at a ruined inn.
Tennyson.
2. To feel light; to be made happy. [Obs.]
It made all their hearts to light. Chaucer.
3. To descend from flight, and rest, perch, or settle, as a bird or
insect.
[The bee] lights on that, and this, and tasteth all. Sir. J. Davies.
On the tree tops a crested peacock lit. Tennyson.
4. To come down suddenly and forcibly; to fall; -- with on or upon.
On me, me only, as the source and spring Of all corruption, all the
blame light due. Milton.
5. To come by chance; to happen; -- with on or upon; formerly with
into.
The several degrees of vision, which the assistance of glasses
(casually at first lit on) has taught us to conceive. Locke.
They shall light into atheistical company. South.
And here we lit on Aunt Elizabeth, And Lilia with the rest. Tennyson.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition