floating light noun

A lightship

floating-point notation noun (computing)

The expressing of numbers as a fractional value (the mantissa) followed by an integer exponent of the base, eg ±0.34791×10³

floating-point number noun (computing)

A number so expressed

floating-point operation noun (computing)

The addition, subtraction, multiplication or division of two floating-point numbers

floating policy noun

An insurance policy covering movable property irrespective of its location

floating rib see under rib¹

floating vote noun

The votes of electors who are not permanently attached to any one political party

floating voter noun

float plane noun

A seaplane

floatˈ-stone noun

1. A porous spongelike variety of silica, so light as to float for a while on water
2. A bricklayer's smoothing tool

float tank see flotation therapy under flote

light¹ /līt/

noun

1. The agency by which objects are made visible
2. Electromagnetic radiation capable of producing visual sensation
3. Anything from which it originates, such as the sun or a lamp
4. A high degree of illumination
5. Day
6. A gleam or shining from a bright source
7. A gleam or glow in the eye or on the face
8. The power of vision (archaic)
9. An eye (archaic)
10. The brighter part of a picture
11. A means of igniting or illuminating
12. A lighthouse
13. Mental or spiritual illumination (figurative)
14. Enlightenment
15. A hint, clue or help towards understanding
16. Knowledge
17. Open view
18. Aspect
19. A conspicuous person
20. An aperture for admitting light
21. A vertical division of a window
22. In a crossword, the word (or sometimes an individual letter in the word) on the diagram that is the answer to a clue

adjective

1. Not dark
2. Bright
3. Whitish
4. Well lit

transitive verb (lightˈing; lightˈed or lit)

1. To shine light on, provide light in
2. To set fire to
3. To follow or precede (someone, or his or her path) with a light

intransitive verb (archaic)

To become light or bright

lightˈer noun

1. A person who sets something alight
2. A means of igniting, esp a small device for lighting cigarettes

lightˈful adjective (archaic)

Full of light

lightˈing noun

1. Illumination
2. Ignition, kindling
3. Arrangement or quality of lights

lightˈish adjective

lightˈless adjective

lightˈness noun

lightˈsome adjective (archaic and poetic)

Full of light

lightˈ-ball noun (historical)

A combustible ball used to give light in warfare

light box noun

1. A box-shaped device with an internal lamp to facilitate viewing through paper, negatives, etc placed on its translucent surface
2. A box that produces simulated daylight, used in light therapy

light bulb noun

A glass bulb containing a low-pressure gas and a metal filament which glows when an electric current is passed through it, one of the most common methods of electric lighting

light bulb moment noun (informal)

A moment of inspiration or sudden understanding

lightˈ-dues plural noun

Tolls from ships, for maintenance of lighthouses

light-emitting diode noun

A semiconducting device that emits light when an electric current passes through it, as used for alphanumeric displays in digital clocks, electronic calculators, etc (abbrev LED)

lightˈ-fast adjective

(of colour in fabric, or coloured fabric) not liable to fade from prolonged exposure to light

lightˈhouse noun

A building with a powerful light to guide or give warning to ships or aircraft

lightˈhouseman or lightˈhousekeeper noun

The person in charge of a lighthouse

lightˈing-up noun and adjective

lighting-up time noun

The time of day from which vehicles must have their lights switched on

light meter noun (photography)

A meter for measuring the level of light present, an exposure meter

lightˈ-mill noun

A radiometer

lightˈ-orˈgan noun

A keyboard instrument that gives a play of light as an organ gives sound

light pen noun (computing)

1. A pen-shaped photoelectric device that can communicate directly with a computer, entering or altering data on a screen
2. A light-sensitive fibre-optic device shaped like a pen, used for reading barcoded labels

light pollution noun

The unpleasant effects of excessive artificial lighting, esp in large cities

lightˈ-proof adjective

Impervious to light, light-tight

lightˈship noun

A ship serving the purpose of a lighthouse

light show noun

A colourful spectacle of moving lights that often accompanies rock and pop bands at live performances, usu projected onto a large screen

light table noun (printing)

(a table incorporating) a ground-glass surface, illuminated from below, for use when working on lay-out with translucent materials

light therapy noun

The use of artificial light to treat depression, fatigue and disorders such as SAD, thought to be caused by insufficient natural light for the body's needs

lightˈ-tight adjective

Light-proof

light time noun

The time taken by light to travel from a heavenly body to the observer

lightˈ-tower noun

light trap noun

Any mechanical arrangement which permits movement while excluding light, such as the doors and partitions providing access to a darkroom

lightˈ-year noun

The distance light travels in a year (about 6000000000000 miles)

according to one's lights

As far as one's knowledge, spiritual illumination, etc enables one to judge

between the lights

In the twilight

between two lights

Under cover of darkness

bring to light

To reveal

come to light

To be revealed

fixed light

In lighthouses, an unchanging light

floating light

A light at the masthead of a lightship

go out like a light

To fall sound asleep soon after going to bed

hide one's light under a bushel see under bushel¹

in a good (or bad) light

Putting a favourable (or unfavourable) construction on something

inner light

Spiritual illumination, esp divinely inspired

in one's (or the) light

1. Positioned between the speaker or the stated person and the source of illumination
2. Blocking one's chance of success

in the light of

Considering, taking into account

leading light see under lead¹

light at the end of the tunnel

An indication that success, completion, etc is assured, if still distant

light of nature

1. Intellectual perception or intuition
2. Man's capacity of discovering truth unaided by revelation (theology)

lights out

1. A bugle or trumpet call for the extinction of lights (military)
2. The time at which lights are turned out for the night, in a boarding school, barracks, etc

light up

1. To light one's lamp, pipe, cigarette, etc
2. To turn on the light
3. To make or become light, bright, happy, etc

lit (up)

Drunk

northern and southern lights

Aurora borealis and australis respectively

see the light

1. To come into view or being
2. To realize a fact, mistake, etc
3. To be religiously converted

see the light of day

1. To be born, discovered or produced
2. To come to public notice

shed, throw or cast light on

To clarify, help to explain

stand in one's own light

To hinder one's own advantage

strike a light! (slang)

An exclamation expressing surprise