light

light¹ / līt/ • n. 1. the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible: the light of the sun [in sing.] the street lamps shed a faint light into the room. ∎  a source of illumination, esp. an electric lamp: a light came on in his room. ∎  (lights) decorative illuminations: Christmas lights. ∎  a traffic light: turn right at the light. ∎  [in sing.] an expression in someone's eyes indicating a particular emotion or mood: a shrewd light entered his eyes. ∎  the amount or quality of light in a place: the plant requires good light in some lights she could look beautiful. 2. understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment: she saw light dawn on the woman's face. ∎  spiritual illumination by divine truth. ∎  (lights) a person's opinions, standards, and abilities: leaving the police to do the job according to their lights. 3. an area of something that is brighter or paler than its surroundings: sunshine will brighten the natural lights in your hair. 4. a match or lighter that produces a flame or spark. ∎  the flame produced: he asked me for a light. 5. a window or opening in a wall to let light in. ∎  any of the perpendicular divisions of a mullioned window. ∎  any of the panes of glass forming the roof or side of a greenhouse or the top of a cold frame. 6. a person notable or eminent in a particular sphere of activity or place: such lights of Liberalism as the historian Goldwin Smith. • v. (past and past part. lit / lit/ or light·ed ) [tr.] 1. provide with light or lighting; illuminate: the room was lighted by a number of small lamps lightning suddenly lit up the house. ∎  switch on (an electric light): only one of the table lamps was lit. ∎  [intr.] (light up) become illuminated: the sign to fasten seat belts lit up. 2. make (something) start burning; ignite: Allen gathered sticks and lit a fire [as adj.] (lighted or lit) a lighted cigarette. ∎  [intr.] begin to burn; be ignited: the gas wouldn't light properly. ∎  (light something up) ignite a cigarette, cigar, or pipe and begin to smoke it: she lit up a cigarette and puffed on it serenely [intr.] workers who light up in prohibited areas face dismissal. • adj. 1. having a considerable or sufficient amount of natural light; not dark: the bedrooms are light and airy it was almost light outside. 2. (of a color) pale: her eyes were light blue. PHRASES: bring (or come) to light make (or become) widely known or evident: an investigation to bring to light examples of extravagant expenditure. go out like a light inf. fall asleep or lose consciousness suddenly. in a —— light in the way specified; so as to give a specified impression: the audit portrayed the company in a very favorable light.in (the) light of drawing knowledge or information from; taking (something) into consideration: the exorbitant prices are explainable in the light of the facts. light a fire under someonesee fire. light at the end of the tunnel a long-awaited indication that a period of hardship or adversity is nearing an end. light the fusesee fuse² . the light of day daylight. ∎  general public attention: bringing old family secrets into the light of day. the light of someone's life a much loved person. lights out bedtime in a school dormitory, military barracks, or other institution, when lights should be switched off. ∎  a bell, bugle call, or other signal announcing this. lit up inf., dated drunk. see the light understand or realize something after prolonged thought or doubt. ∎  undergo religious conversion. see the light of day be born. ∎ fig. come into existence; be made public, visible, or available: this software first saw the light of day back in 1993. shed (or throw or cast) light on help to explain (something) by providing further information about it.PHRASAL VERBS: light up (or light something up) (with reference to a person's face or eyes) suddenly become or cause to be animated with liveliness or joy: his eyes lit up and he smiled a smile of delight lit up her face.DERIVATIVES: light·ish adj. light·less adj. light·ness n. ORIGIN: Old English lēoht, līht (noun and adjective), līhtan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch licht and German Licht, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek leukos ‘white’ and Latin lux ‘light.’ light² • adj. 1. of little weight; easy to lift: they are very light and portable you're as light as a feather. ∎  deficient in weight, esp. by a specified amount: the sack of potatoes is 5 pounds light. ∎  not strongly or heavily built or constructed; small of its kind: light, impractical clothes light armor. ∎  carrying or suitable for small loads: light commercial vehicles. ∎  carrying only light armaments: light infantry. ∎  (of a vehicle, ship, or aircraft) traveling unladen or with less than a full load. ∎  (of food or a meal) small in quantity and easy to digest: a light supper. ∎  (of a foodstuff) low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, or other rich ingredients: stick to a light diet. ∎  (of drink) not too sweet or rich in flavor or strongly alcoholic: a glass of light Hungarian wine. ∎  (of food, esp. pastry or sponge cake) fluffy or well aerated during cooking. ∎  (of soil) friable, porous, and workable. ∎  (of an isotope) having not more than the usual mass; (of a compound) containing such an isotope. 2. relatively low in density, amount, or intensity: passenger traffic was light light summer breezes trading was light for most of the day. ∎  (of sleep or a sleeper) easily disturbed. ∎  easily borne or done: he received a relatively light sentence some light housework. 3. gentle or delicate: she planted a light kiss on his cheek my breathing was steady and light. ∎  (of a building) having an appearance suggestive of lightness: the building is lofty and light in its tall nave and choir. ∎  (of type) having thin strokes; not bold. 4. (of entertainment) requiring little mental effort; not profound or serious: pop is thought of as light entertainment some light reading. ∎  not serious or solemn: his tone was light. ∎  free from worry or unhappiness; cheerful: I left the island with a light heart. 5. archaic (of a woman) unchaste; promiscuous. PHRASES: be light on be rather short of: light on hard news. be light on one's feet (of a person) be quick or nimble. a (or someone's) light touch the ability to deal with something delicately, tactfully, or in an understated way: a novel that handles its tricky subject with a light touch. make light of treat as unimportant: I didn't mean to make light of your problems. make light work of accomplish (a task) quickly and easily. travel light travel with a minimum load or minimum luggage.DERIVATIVES: light·ish adj. light·ly adv. light·ness n. light³ • v. (past and past part. lit / lit/ or light·ed ) [intr.] 1. (light on/upon) come upon or discover by chance: he lit on a possible solution. 2. archaic descend: from the horse he lit down. ∎  (light on) fall and settle or land on (a surface): a feather just lighted on the ground. PHRASAL VERBS: light into inf. criticize severely; attack: he lit into him for his indiscretion. light out inf. depart hurriedly.