light

¹light

noun \ˈlīt\

Definition of LIGHT

1

a : something that makes vision possible b : the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors c : electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that travels in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second; specifically : such radiation that is visible to the human eye

2

a : daylight b : dawn

3

: a source of light: as a : a celestial body b : candle c : an electric light

4

archaic : sight 4a

5

a : spiritual illumination b : inner light c : enlightenment d : truth

6

a : public knowledge <facts brought to light> b : a particular aspect or appearance presented to view <saw the matter in a different light>

7

: a particular illumination

8

: something that enlightens or informs <shed some light on the problem>

9

: a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted

10

plural : a set of principles, standards, or opinions <worship according to one's lights — Adrienne Koch>

11

: a noteworthy person in a particular place or field <a leading light among current writers>

12

: a particular expression of the eye

13

a : lighthouse, beacon b : traffic light

14

: the representation of light in art

15

: a flame for lighting something (as a cigarette)

— in the light of

1

: from the point of view of

2

or in light of : in view of <in light of their findings, new procedures were established>

Examples of LIGHT

1. The landscape was bathed in light.
2. a photograph taken in low light
3. the light of the moon
4. a mixture of light and shadow
5. The windows let fresh air and light into the room.
6. The lights suddenly went out.
7. The lights suddenly came on.
8. the twinkling lights of the city below
9. the bright lights of Broadway
10. The lights are on, so there must be somebody at home.

Origin of LIGHT

Middle English, from Old English lēoht; akin to Old High German lioht light, Latin luc-, lux light, lucēre to shine, Greek leukos white

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LIGHT

Synonyms: blaze, flare, fluorescence, glare, gleam, glow, illumination, incandescence, luminescence, radiance, shine

Antonyms: nobody, noncelebrity

Related Words: flash, glimmer, glint, glitter, scintillation, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle; daylight, moonlight, sunlight, sunshine; afterglow, aureole (or aureola), aurora, beam, halo, ray, shaft, streak, stream, sunbeam; glisten, gloss, luster (or lustre), polish, reflection, sheen

Near Antonyms: blackness, dark, darkness, dimness, dusk, duskiness, gloom, night, shadow

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

Rhymes with LIGHT

bight, bite, blight, bright, byte, cite, dight, dite, fight, flight, fright, height, hight, kite, knight, krait, kyte, lite, might, mite, night, plight, quite, right, rite, sight, site, sleight, slight, smite, spite, sprite, tight, trite, white, wight, wite, wright, write