释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024light1 /laɪt/USA pronunciation n., adj., light•er, light•est, v., light•ed or lit/lɪt/USA pronunciation light•ing. n. - the brightness that makes things visible, made up of a form of radiation to which the eyes react:[uncountable]The sun gives off light.
- [countable] something giving off such brightness, as the sun or a lamp.
- the brightness from the sun;
daylight, daybreak, dawn, or daytime:[uncountable]at first light (= at dawn). - [countable] a device for or means of starting a fire, as a spark, flame, or match.
- a traffic light:[countable]went through a red light.
- the way in which a thing appears or is looked at:[countable* usually singular]He saw things in a new light.
- a gleam or sparkle:[countable]a fierce light in her eyes.
- insight;
understanding; awareness:[uncountable]These new facts throw some light on the mystery. - a person who is an important figure:[countable]one of the leading lights of the Broadway stage.
- lights, [plural] the information, ideas, background, or mental ability one has:According to his lights, he acted correctly.
adj. - having light;
bright; well-lighted:The room was light enough to read in. - pale;
not deep in color:a light blue. - (of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.
v. - to (cause to) burn: [~ + object]They lit the fire.[~ (+ up) + object]She lit (up) a cigarette.[~ (+ up)]These wet logs won't light (up). She took the cigarette and lit up.
- to (cause to) become bright when switched on: [no object]This table lamp won't light.[~ + object]to light the lamp.
- to (cause to) be brightened, esp. with joy, excitement, or the like: [~ (+ up) + object]A smile lit (up) her face.[no object]Her face lit up with the good news.
- to (cause to) become bright: [no object; (~ + up) ]The sky lights up at sunrise.[~ (+ up) + object]to light up a room.[~ + up + object]The car's headlights lit up the area ahead.
Idioms- Idioms bring to light, to discover or reveal: [~ + object]The investigation brought to light new facts about the case.[~ + object + to light]The investigation brought new facts to light.
- Idioms come to light, to be discovered or revealed:New facts came to light.
- Idioms in (the) light of, taking into account;
because of; considering:In the light of these new charges, perhaps we'd better re-open the investigation. - Idioms light at the end of the tunnel, a possibility of success, relief, or of being saved that is not yet present but that will come about:We still have problems, but at least we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
- Idioms see the light:
- to understand something at last.
light•ness, n. [uncountable]light2 /laɪt/USA pronunciation adj. and adv., -er, -est. adj. - of little weight;
not heavy:a light load. - of low specific gravity:a light metal.
- of less than the usual or average weight:Wear light clothing in the summer to stay cool.
- of small amount, force, intensity, pressure, etc.:a light rain.
- easy to endure, deal with, or perform:light duties.
- not very serious;
entertaining:Mystery stories make light reading. - trivial:The loss of a job is no light matter.
- easily digested;
not rich or heavy:a light meal. - Wine(of alcoholic beverages)
- not heavy or strong:a light apéritif.
- (esp. of beer and wine) having fewer calories and usually a lower alcohol content than the standard product.
- airy in movement;
agile:light on one's feet. - cheerful;
carefree:a light heart. - dizzy or somewhat faint:I felt light in the head.
- Military(of soldiers) lightly armed or equipped:light cavalry.
- made to carry small loads swiftly:a light truck.
- using small-scale machinery for the production of consumer goods:light industry.
adv. - without much or extra baggage:He prefers to travel light, with just a backpack.
light•ly, adv. light•ness, n. light3 /laɪt/USA pronunciation v. [no object], light•ed or lit/lɪt/USA pronunciation light•ing. - to come down to rest;
fall or settle (upon):[~ + on/upon]The bird lighted on the branch. - to come by chance;
happen; hit:[~ + on/upon]to light on a clue. - light into, [~ + into + object] to attack physically or verbally:He lit into the next speaker with criticism.
- light out, [no object][Informal.]to depart quickly:He lit out for the coast.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024light1 (līt),USA pronunciation n., adj., -er, -est, v., light•ed or lit, light•ing. n. - something that makes things visible or affords illumination:All colors depend on light.
- Physics
- PhysicsAlso 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. - Fine Art[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
- ArchitectureAlso called day. one compartment of a window or window sash.
- Architecturea window, esp. a small one.
- mental insight;
understanding. - lights, the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed:to act according to one's lights.
- Nautical, Naval Termsa lighthouse.
- [Archaic.]the eyesight.
- Idioms bring to light, to discover or reveal:The excavations brought to light the remnants of an ancient civilization.
- Idioms come to light, to be discovered or revealed:Some previously undiscovered letters have lately come to light.
- Idioms hide one's light under a bushel, to conceal or suppress one's talents or successes.
- Idioms in a good (or bad) light, under favorable (or unfavorable) circumstances:She worshiped him, but then she'd only seen him in a good light.
- Idioms in (the) light of, taking into account;
because of; considering:It was necessary to review the decision in the light of recent developments. - Idioms 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.
- Idioms 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.
- Idioms shed or throw light on, to clarify;
clear up:His deathbed confession threw light on a mystery of long standing. adj. - 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.
v.t. - 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 fol. by up):Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
- to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, esp. with joy, animation, or the like (often fol. 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.
v.i. - to take fire or become kindled:The damp wood refused to light.
- to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usually fol. 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 fol. by up):The sky lights up at sunset.
- to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often fol. by up).
- bef. 900; (noun, nominal and adjective, adjectival) Middle English; Old English lēoht; cognate with Old Saxon lioht, Old Frisian liacht, Dutch, German licht, Gothic liuhath (noun, nominal); akin to Old Norse ljōs (noun, nominal), ljōss (adjective, adjectival), Latin lūx (noun, nominal), Greek leukós bright, white; (verb, verbal) Middle English lighten, Old English līhtan, cognate with Old Saxon liuhtian, Old High German liuhten (German leuchten), Gothic liuhtjan
light′ful, adj. light′ful•ly, adv. light2 (līt),USA pronunciation adj., -er, -est, adv., -er, -est, n. adj. - of little weight;
not heavy:a light load. - of little weight in proportion to bulk;
of low specific gravity:a light metal. - of less than the usual or average weight:light clothing.
- weighing less than the proper or standard amount:to be caught using light weights in trade.
- of small amount, force, intensity, etc.:light trading on the stock market;a light rain;light sleep.
- using or applying little or slight pressure or force:The child petted the puppy with light, gentle strokes.
- not distinct;
faint:The writing on the page had become light and hard to read. - easy to endure, deal with, or perform;
not difficult or burdensome:light duties. - not very profound or serious;
amusing or entertaining:light reading. - of little importance or consequence;
trivial:The loss of his job was no light matter. - easily digested:light food.
- low in any substance, as sugar, starch, or tars, that is considered harmful or undesirable:light cigarettes.
- Wine(of alcoholic beverages)
- not heavy or strong:a light apéritif.
- (esp. of beer and wine) having fewer calories and usually a lower alcohol content than the standard product.
- spongy or well-leavened, as cake.
- (of soil) containing much sand;
porous or crumbly. - slender or delicate in form or appearance:a light, graceful figure.
- airy or buoyant in movement:When she dances, she's as light as a feather.
- nimble or agile:light on one's feet.
- free from trouble, sorrow, or worry;
carefree:a light heart. - cheerful;
gay:a light laugh. - characterized by lack of proper seriousness;
frivolous:light conduct. - sexually promiscuous;
loose. - easily swayed;
changeable; volatile:a heart light of love; His is a life of a man light of purpose. - dizzy;
slightly delirious:I get light on one martini. - [Mil.]lightly armed or equipped:light cavalry.
- having little or no cargo, encumbrance, or the like;
not burdened:a light freighter drawing little water. - adapted by small weight or slight build for small loads or swift movement:The grocer bought a light truck for deliveries.
- using small-scale machinery primarily for the production of consumer goods:light industry.
- [Naut.]noting any sail of light canvas set only in moderate or calm weather, as a royal, skysail, studdingsail, gaff topsail, or spinnaker.
- [Meteorol.](of wind) having a speed up to 7 mph (3 m/sec). Cf. light air, light breeze.
- [Phonet.](of l- sounds) resembling a front vowel in quality;
clear:Frenchl is lighter than English l. - Poetry[Pros.](of a syllable)
- [Poker.]being in debt to the pot:He's a dollar light.
- make light of, to treat as unimportant or trivial:They made light of our hard-won victory.
adv. - lightly:to travel light.
- with no load or cargo hauled or carried:a locomotive running light to its roundhouse.
n. - a light product, as a beer or cigarette.
- bef. 900; Middle English; Old English lēoht, līht; cognate with Old Frisian li(u)cht, Old Saxon -līht, Dutch licht, German leicht, Old Norse lēttr, Gothic leihts
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged indistinct; faded.
- 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged trifling, inconsiderable.
- 19.See corresponding entry in Unabridged cheery, happy.
- 21.See corresponding entry in Unabridged flighty.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged heavy.
light3 (līt),USA pronunciation v.i., 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 fol. 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.
- 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.
- bef. 900; Middle English lihten, Old English līhtan to make light, relieve of a weight; see light2
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: light /laɪt/ n - the medium of illumination that makes sight possible
- Also called: visible radiation electromagnetic 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 radiation: ultraviolet light
- the sensation experienced when electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum falls on the retina of the eye
- anything that illuminates, such as a lamp or candle
- See traffic light
- a particular quality or type of light: a good light for reading
- illumination from the sun during the day; daylight
- the time this appears; daybreak; dawn
- anything that allows the entrance of light, such as a window or compartment of a window
- the condition of being visible or known (esp in the phrases bring or come to light)
- an aspect or view: he saw it in a different light
- mental understanding or spiritual insight
- a person considered to be an authority or leader
- brightness of countenance, esp a sparkle in the eyes
- the act of igniting or kindling something, such as a cigarette
- something that ignites or kindles, esp in a specified manner, such as a spark or flame
- something used for igniting or kindling, such as a match
- See lighthouse
- in light of, in the light of ⇒ in view of; taking into account; considering
- see the light, see the light of day ⇒ to come into being
- to come to public notice
- strike a light ⇒ (verb) to ignite something, esp a match, by friction
- (interjection) Brit an exclamation of surprise
adj - full of light; well-lighted
- (of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a large amount of light: light yellow
vb (lights, lighting, lighted, lit /lɪt/)- to ignite or cause to ignite
- (often followed by up) to illuminate or cause to illuminate
- to make or become cheerful or animated
- (transitive) to guide or lead by light
See also lights1, light upEtymology: Old English lēoht; related to Old High German lioht, Gothic liuhath, Latin lux
ˈlightish adj ˈlightless adj light /laɪt/ adj - not heavy; weighing relatively little
- having relatively low density: magnesium is a light metal
- lacking sufficient weight; not agreeing with standard or official weights
- not great in degree, intensity, or number: light rain, a light eater
- without burdens, difficulties, or problems; easily borne or done: a light heart, light work
- graceful, agile, or deft: light fingers
- not bulky or clumsy
- not serious or profound; entertaining: light verse
- without importance or consequence; insignificant: no light matter
- frivolous or capricious
- loose in morals
- dizzy or unclear: a light head
- (of bread, cake, etc) spongy or well leavened
- easily digested: a light meal
- relatively low in alcoholic content: a light wine
- (of a soil) having a crumbly texture
- (of a vessel, lorry, etc) designed to carry light loads
- not loaded
- carrying light arms or equipment: light infantry
- (of an industry) engaged in the production of small consumer goods using light machinery
- (of an aircraft) having a maximum take-off weight less than 5670 kilograms (12 500 pounds)
- (of an oil fraction obtained from coal tar) having a boiling range between about 100° and 210°C
- (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
- (of a syllable, vowel, etc) unaccented or weakly stressed; short
- light on ⇒ informal lacking a sufficient quantity of (something)
- make light of ⇒ to treat as insignificant or trifling
adv - a less common word for lightly
- with little equipment, baggage, etc: to travel light
vb (lights, lighting, lighted, lit /lɪt/)( intransitive) - (esp of birds) to settle or land after flight
- to get down from a horse, vehicle, etc
- followed by on or upon: to come upon unexpectedly
- to strike or fall on: the choice lighted on me
See also light into, light out, lights2Etymology: Old English lēoht; related to Dutch licht, Gothic leihtsˈlightish adj ˈlightly adv ˈlightness n |