first light

American  

noun

Southern U.S.

1. dawn.

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first light British  

noun

1. the time when light first appears in the morning; dawn

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Etymology

Origin of first light

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The first light also sets an internal timer for melatonin to be produced again 14 hours later.

From The Wall Street Journal

They traveled endlessly, it seemed, stopping only when it became too dark to see, and starting again at first light.

From Literature

Shortly after picking up our dinner at Joan’s on Third, my friend started asking Lynda questions, first light questions like “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?”

From Los Angeles Times

The Alpine rescue service said that due to fog and low visibility, helicopters could not take off at first light on Sunday.

From BBC

Nonetheless, we take a page out of Hemingway’s book and leave The Mira “as soon after first light as possible.”

From Salon

Related Words

• dawning