lightness Definition

light¹
noun

1. A form of electromagnetic radiation that travels freely through space, and can be absorbed and reflected, especially that part of the spectrum which can be seen with the human eye.
2. Any source of light, such as the Sun, a lamp, a candle, etc.

Thesaurus: lamp, light bulb, lantern, flame, candle, beacon, flare, torch.
3. An appearance of brightness; a shine or gleam.

Example: see a light away in the distance
Thesaurus: illumination, radiance, brightness, luminosity, brilliance.
4. Traffic lights.

Example: turn left at the lights
Form: the lights
5. The time during the day when it is daylight.
6. Dawn.

Thesaurus: dawn, day, daybreak, morning.
7. A particular quality or amount of light.

Example: a good light for taking photographs
8. A flame or spark for igniting.
9. A means of producing a flame for igniting, such as a match.
10. A way in which something is thought of or regarded.

Example: see the problem in a new light
Thesaurus: aspect, angle, slant, frame of reference.
11. A hint, clue or help towards understanding.
12. A glow in the eyes or on the face as a sign of energy, liveliness, happiness or excitement.
13. Someone who is well regarded in a particular field.

Example: a leading light
14. An opening in a wall that lets in light, such as a window.
15. formal
Someone's mental ability, knowledge or understanding.
Example: act according to one's lights
Form: lights

adj

1. Having light; not dark.

Thesaurus: radiant, illuminated, bright; Antonym: dark.
2. Said of a colour: pale; closer to white than black.

verb lit (past tense and past participle), lighted, lighting (present participle)

1. To provide light for something.

Example: light the stage
Thesaurus: illuminate, make visible, irradiate.
tr & intr
2. To begin to burn, or to make something begin to burn.

Example: light the fire
Thesaurus: ignite, inflame, spark, kindle.
3. To guide or show someone the way using a light or torch.
tr & intr
4. To make or become bright, sparkling with liveliness, happiness or excitement.

Derivative: lightish
adj

Derivative: lightness
noun

Idiom: bring something to light

To make it known or cause it to be noticed.

Idiom: come to light

To be made known or discovered.

Idiom: go out like a light

To fall sound asleep soon after going to bed.

Idiom: hide one's light under a bushel

See under bushel.

Idiom: in a good light (in a bad light)

Putting a favourable or unfavourable construction on something.

Idiom: in the light of something

Taking it into consideration.

Idiom: light at the end of the tunnel

An indication of success or completion.

Idiom: lights out

A bugle or trumpet call for lights to be put out.

The time at night when lights in a dormitory or barracks have to be put out.

Idiom: see the light

To understand something.

To have a religious conversion.

Idiom: see the light of day

To be born, discovered or produced.

To come to public notice.

Idiom: shed light on something (throw light on something)

To make it clear or help to explain it.

Idiom: strike a light!

(hiefly Austral)
slang
Expressing surprise.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon leoht.

Phrasal Verb: light up

To light (a cigarette, etc) and begin smoking.

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light²
adj

1. Being of little weight; easy to lift or carry.
2. Low in weight, amount or density.

Example: light rain
Thesaurus: airy, feathery, fluffy, floating, buoyant, thin, gaseous, effervescent; Antonym: dense, heavy.
3. Not pressing heavily; gentle.

Example: a light touch
4. Easy to bear, suffer or do.

Example: light work
5. Being of less weight than is correct or proper.
6. Equipped with only hand-held weapons.

Example: light infantry
7. Without problems, sorrow, etc; cheerful.

Example: a light heart
Thesaurus: jaunty, lively, merry, animated, gay.
8. Graceful and quick; nimble.

Example: a light skip
9. Not serious or profound, but for amusement only.

Example: light reading
Thesaurus: superficial, frivolous, trivial, unimportant; Antonym: serious.
10. old use
Not chaste.
11. Thoughtless or trivial.

Example: a light remark
12. Not thinking clearly or seriously; giddy.

Example: a light head
13. Said of a syllable: not stressed.
14. Said of food: easily digested.
15. technical
Said of wine: with an alcohol content of between 5.5% and 15% by volume.
16. non-technical
Said of wine: with a delicate fresh flavour.
17. Said of cakes, etc: spongy and well risen.
18. Said of soil: loose and sandy.
19. Said of a vehicle or ship: designed to carry light loads only.
20. Said of a ship: unloaded.
21. Said of alcoholic drinks: low in alcohol.

Form: lite (also)
22. Said of food and non-alcholic drinks: containing little fat and/or sugar and so healthier.

Form: lite (also)
23. Said of industry: producing small consumer articles, usually without the use of heavy machinery.

adverb

1. In a light manner.
2. With little luggage.

Example: travel light

noun

1. See separate entry.

Form: lights

Derivative: lightish
adj

Derivative: lightly

See separate entry.

Derivative: lightness
noun

Idiom: make light of something

To treat it as unimportant or trivial.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon leoht.