Collins English-English Dictionary

light [laɪt]

1. 1. n the medium of illumination that makes sight possible

2. 2. n visible radiation electromagnetic radiation that is capable of causing a visual sensation and has wavelengths from about 380 to about 780 nanometres

3. 3. n [not in technical usage] electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength outside this range, esp ultraviolet radiation

   ultraviolet light

4. 4. n the sensation experienced when electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum falls on the retina of the eye

5. 5. n anything that illuminates, such as a lamp or candle

6. 6. n See traffic light

7. 7. n a particular quality or type of light

   a good light for reading

8. 8. n illumination from the sun during the day; daylight

9. 9. n the time this appears; daybreak; dawn

10. 10. n anything that allows the entrance of light, such as a window or compartment of a window

11. 11. n the condition of being visible or known (esp in the phrases bring or come to light)

12. 12. n an aspect or view

    he saw it in a different light

13. 13. n mental understanding or spiritual insight

14. 14. n a person considered to be an authority or leader

15. 15. n brightness of countenance, esp a sparkle in the eyes

16. 16. n the act of igniting or kindling something, such as a cigarette

17. 17. n something that ignites or kindles, esp in a specified manner, such as a spark or flame

18. 18. n something used for igniting or kindling, such as a match

19. 19. n See lighthouse

20. 20. n the effect of illumination on objects or scenes, as created in a picture

21. 21. n an area of brightness in a picture, as opposed to shade

22. 22. n a poetic or archaic word for eyesight

23. 23. n the answer to a clue in a crossword

24. 24. adj full of light; well-lighted

25. 25. adj (of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a large amount of light - Compare medium dark

    light yellow

26. 26. adj [phonetics] relating to or denoting an (l) pronounced with front vowel resonance; clear - Compare dark

    the French ``l'' is much lighter than that of English

27. 27. vb to ignite or cause to ignite

28. 28. vb [often foll by up] to illuminate or cause to illuminate

29. 29. vb to make or become cheerful or animated

30. 30. vt. [tr] to guide or lead by light

31. 31. vt. See also lights light up

32. 32. vt. [Etymology] Old English leoht; related to Old High German lioht, Gothic liuhath, Latin lux

light [laɪt]

1. 1. adj not heavy; weighing relatively little

2. 2. adj having relatively low density

   magnesium is a light metal

3. 3. adj lacking sufficient weight; not agreeing with standard or official weights

4. 4. adj not great in degree, intensity, or number

   light rain

   a light eater

5. 5. adj without burdens, difficulties, or problems; easily borne or done

   a light heart

   light work

6. 6. adj graceful, agile, or deft

   light fingers

7. 7. adj not bulky or clumsy

8. 8. adj not serious or profound; entertaining

   light verse

9. 9. adj without importance or consequence; insignificant

   no light matter

10. 10. adj frivolous or capricious

11. 11. adj loose in morals

12. 12. adj dizzy or unclear

    a light head

13. 13. adj (of bread, cake, etc) spongy or well leavened

14. 14. adj easily digested

    a light meal

15. 15. adj relatively low in alcoholic content

    a light wine

16. 16. adj (of a soil) having a crumbly texture

17. 17. adj designed to carry light loads

18. 18. adj not loaded

19. 19. adj carrying light arms or equipment

    light infantry

20. 20. adj (of an industry) engaged in the production of small consumer goods using light machinery - Compare heavy

21. 21. adj [aeronautics] (of an aircraft) having a maximum take-off weight less than 5670 kilograms (12500 pounds)

22. 22. adj [chem] (of an oil fraction obtained from coal tar) having a boiling range between about 100° and 210°C

23. 23. adj (of a railway) having a narrow gauge, or in some cases a standard gauge with speed or load restrictions not applied to a main line

24. 24. adj [bridge] (of a bid) made on insufficient values

25. 25. adj (of a player) having failed to take sufficient tricks to make his contract

26. 26. adj [phonetics] [prosody] (of a syllable, vowel, etc) unaccented or weakly stressed; short - Compare heavy - See also light

27. 27. adj [phonetics] the least of three levels of stress in an utterance, in such languages as English

28. 28. adv a less common word for lightly

29. 29. adv with little equipment, baggage, etc

    to travel light

30. 30. vi. [intr] (esp of birds) to settle or land after flight

31. 31. vi. to get down from a horse, vehicle, etc

32. 32. vi. [foll by on or upon] to come upon unexpectedly

33. 33. vi. to strike or fall on

    the choice lighted on me

34. 34. vi. See also light into light out lights

35. 35. vi. [Etymology] Old English leoht; related to Dutch licht, Gothic leihts