the act of igniting or illuminating: the lighting of many candles; the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.
the arrangement of lights to achieve particular effects: to work out the lighting for one's living room.
an effect achieved by the arrangement of lights: Several critics praised the lighting of the play.
the science, theory, or method of achieving particular effects by the use of lights.
the way light falls upon a face, object, etc., especially in a picture.
Origin of lighting
before 1000;Middle Englishlightinge,Old Englishlīhting. See light1, -ing1
Related formsself-light·ing, adjective
light
1
[lahyt]
noun
something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
Physics.
Also called luminous energy, radiant energy.electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nm and propagated at a speed of 186,282 mi./sec (299,972 km/sec), considered variously as a wave, corpuscular, or quantum phenomenon.
a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.
the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.
an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.
the illumination from the sun; daylight: We awoke at the first light.
daybreak or dawn: when light appeared in the east.
daytime: Summer has more hours of light.
a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance: viewing the portrait in dim light.
a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match: Could you give me a light?
a traffic light: Don't cross till the light changes.
the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded: Try to look at the situation in a more cheerful light.
the state of being visible, exposed to view, or revealed to public notice or knowledge; limelight: Stardom has placed her in the light.
a person who is an outstanding leader, celebrity, or example; luminary: He became one of the leading lights of Restoration drama.
Art.
the effect of light falling on an object or scene as represented in a picture.
one of the brightest parts of a picture.
a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes.
a measure or supply of light; illumination: The wall cuts off our light.
spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment.
Architecture.
Also called day.one compartment of a window or window sash.
a window, especially a small one.
mental insight; understanding.
lights,the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed: to act according to one's lights.
a lighthouse.
Archaic. the eyesight.
adjective,light·er,light·est.
having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted: the lightest room in the entire house.
pale, whitish, or not deep or dark in color: a light blue.
(of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.
verb (used with object),light·ed or lit,light·ing.
to set burning, as a candle, lamp, fire, match, or cigarette; kindle; ignite.
to turn or switch on (an electric light): One flick of the master switch lights all the lamps in the room.
to give light to; furnish with light or illumination: The room is lighted by two large chandeliers.
to make (an area or object) bright with or as if with light (often followed by up): Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, especially with joy, animation, or the like (often followed by up): A smile lit up her face. Her presence lighted up the room.
to guide or conduct with a light: a candle to light you to bed.
verb (used without object),light·ed or lit,light·ing.
to take fire or become kindled: The damp wood refused to light.
to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usually followed by up): He took out a pipe and lighted up before speaking.
to become illuminated when switched on: This table lamp won't light.
to become bright, as with light or color (often followed by up): The sky lights up at sunset.
to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often followed by up).
Idioms
bring to light, to discover or reveal: The excavations brought to light the remnants of an ancient civilization.
come to light, to be discovered or revealed: Some previously undiscovered letters have lately come to light.
hide one's light under a bushel, to conceal or suppress one's talents or successes.
in a good/bad light, under favorable (or unfavorable) circumstances: She worshiped him, but then she'd only seen him in a good light.
in (the) light of, taking into account; because of; considering: It was necessary to review the decision in the light of recent developments.
light at the end of the tunnel, a prospect of success, relief, or redemption: We haven't solved the problem yet, but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
see the light,
to come into existence or being.
to be made public.
to begin to accept or understand a point of view one formerly opposed: Her father was opposed to her attending an out-of-town college, but he finally saw the light.
shed/throw light on, to clarify; clear up: His deathbed confession threw light on a mystery of long standing.
Origin of light
1
before 900; (noun and adj.) Middle English;Old Englishlēoht; cognate with Old Saxonlioht,Old Frisianliacht,Dutch,Germanlicht,Gothicliuhath (noun); akin to Old Norseljōs (noun), ljōss (adj.), Latinlūx (noun), Greekleukós bright, white; (v.) Middle Englishlighten,Old Englishlīhtan, cognate with Old Saxonliuhtian,Old High Germanliuhten (Germanleuchten), Gothicliuhtjan
Related formslight·ful, adjectivelight·ful·ly, adverb
light
3
[lahyt]
verb (used without object),light·ed or lit,light·ing.
to get down or descend, as from a horse or a vehicle.
to come to rest, as on a spot or thing; fall or settle upon; land: The bird lighted on the branch. My eye lighted on some friends in the crowd.
to come by chance; happen; hit (usually followed by on or upon): to light on a clue; to light on an ideal picnic spot.
to fall, as a stroke, weapon, vengeance, or choice, on a place or person: The choice lighted upon our candidate.
Verb Phrases
light into, Informal. to make a vigorous physical or verbal attack on: He would light into anyone with the slightest provocation.
light out, Slang. to leave quickly; depart hurriedly: He lit out of here as fast as his legs would carry him.
Origin of light
3
before 900;Middle Englishlihten,Old Englishlīhtan to make light, relieve of a weight; see light2
the medium of illumination that makes sight possible
Also called: visible radiationelectromagnetic radiation that is capable of causing a visual sensation and has wavelengths from about 380 to about 780 nanometres
(not in technical usage)electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength outside this range, esp ultraviolet radiationultraviolet light
the sensation experienced when electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum falls on the retina of the eyeRelated prefix: photo-
anything that illuminates, such as a lamp or candle
in light oforin the light ofin view of; taking into account; considering
light at the end of the tunnelhope for the ending of a difficult or unpleasant situation
out like a lightquickly asleep or unconscious
see the light
to gain sudden insight into or understanding of something
to experience a religious conversion
see the lightorsee the light of day
to come into being
to come to public notice
shed light onorthrow light onto clarify or supply additional information on
stand in a person's lightto stand so as to obscure a person's vision
strike a light
(verb)to ignite something, esp a match, by friction
(interjection)Britishan exclamation of surprise
adjective
full of light; well-lighted
(of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a large amount of lightlight yellow Compare medium (def. 2), dark (def. 2)
phoneticsrelating to or denoting an (l) pronounced with front vowel resonance; clearthe French "l" is much lighter than that of English See dark (def. 9)
verblights, lighting, lightedorlit (lɪt)
to ignite or cause to ignite
(often foll by up)to illuminate or cause to illuminate
"shining, illumination," Old English lihting, from leoht (see light (n.)).
light
v.2
"to illuminate, fill with brightness," Old English lyhtan, common Germanic (cf. Old Saxon liohtian, Old High German liuhtan, German leuchten, Gothic liuhtjan "to light"), from source of from light (n.). Related: Lighted; lighting.
light
adj.2
"not dark," Old English leoht, common Germanic (cf. Old Saxon and Old High German lioht, Old Frisian liacht, German licht "bright," from the source of Old English leoht (see light (n.)). Meaning "pale-hued" is from 1540s.
light
n.
"brightness, radiant energy," Old English leht, earlier leoht "light, daylight; luminous, beautiful," from West Germanic *leukhtam (cf. Old Saxon lioht, Old Frisian liacht, Middle Dutch lucht, Dutch licht, Old High German lioht, German Licht, Gothic liuhaþ "light"), from PIE *leuk- "light, brightness" (cf. Sanskrit rocate "shines;" Armenian lois "light," lusin "moon;" Greek leukos "bright, shining, white;" Latin lucere "to shine," lux "light," lucidus "clear;" Old Church Slavonic luci "light;" Lithuanian laukas "pale;" Welsh llug "gleam, glimmer;" Old Irish loche "lightning," luchair "brightness;" Hittite lukezi "is bright").
The -gh- was an Anglo-French scribal attempt to render the Germanic hard -h- sound, which has since disappeared from this word. The figurative spiritual sense was in Old English; the sense of "mental illumination" is first recorded mid-15c. Meaning "something used for igniting" is from 1680s. Meaning "a consideration which puts something in a certain view (e.g. in light of) is from 1680s. Something that's a joy and a delight has been the light of (someone's) eyes since Old English:
Ðu eart dohtor min, minra eagna leoht [Juliana].
To see the light "come into the world" is from 1680s; later in a Christian sense.
light
adj.1
"not heavy," from Old English leoht "not heavy, light in weight; easy, trifling; quick, agile," from Proto-Germanic *lingkhtaz (cf. Old Norse lettr, Swedish lätt, Old Frisian, Middle Dutch licht, German leicht, Gothic leihts), from PIE root *legwh- "not heavy, having little weight" (cf. Latin levis "light," Old Irish lu "small;" see lever).
The notion in make light of (1520s) is of "unimportance." Alternative spelling lite, the darling of advertisers, is first recorded 1962. The adverb is Old English leohte, from the adjective. Light-skirts "woman of easy virtue" is attested from 1590s. To make light of is from 1520s.
light
v.1
"touch down," from Old English lihtan "to alight; alleviate, leave," from Proto-Germanic *linkhtijan, literally "to make light," from *lingkhtaz "not heavy" (see light (adj.1)). Apparently the ground sense is "to dismount a horse, etc., and thus relieve it of one's weight." To light out "leave hastily" is 1870, from a nautical meaning "move out, move heavy objects," of unknown origin but perhaps belonging to this word (cf. lighter (n.1)).
Electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength in the range from about 4,000 (violet) to about 7,700 (red) angstroms and may be perceived by the normal unaided human eye.
Electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. It is made up of electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 4 X 10-7 and 7 X 10-7 meters. Light, and all other electromagnetic radiation, travels at a speed of about 299,728 km (185,831 mi) per second in a vacuum. See also photon.
Electromagnetic energy of a wavelength just outside the range the human eye can detect, such as infrared light and ultraviolet light. See Note at electromagnetic radiation.
The type of electromagnetic wave that is visible to the human eye. Visible light runs along a spectrum from the short wavelengths of violet to the longer wavelengths of red. (Seephoton.)
