light

LIGHT, n. lite. [L. lux, light and luceo, to shine. Eng. luck, both in elements and radical sense.]

1. That ethereal agent or matter which makes objects perceptible to the sense of seeing, but the particles of which are separately invisible. It is now generally believed that light is a fluid, or real matter, existing independent of other substances, with properties peculiar to itself. Its velocity is astonishing, as it passes through a space of nearly twelve millions of miles in a minute. Light, when decomposed, is found to consist of rays differently colored; as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The sun is the principal source of light in the solar system; but light is also emitted from bodies ignited, or in combustion, and is reflected from enlightened bodies, as the moon. Light is also emitted from certain putrefying substances. It is usually united with heat, but it exists also independent of it.

2. That flood of luminous rays which flows from the sun and constitutes day.

God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. Gen. 1.

3. Day; the dawn of day.

The murderer rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy. Job. 24.

4. Life.

O, spring to light, auspicious babe, be born!

5. Any thing that gives light; as a lamp, candle, taper, lighted tower, star, &c.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in - Act. 16.

I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles. Acts 13.

And God made two great lights. Gen. 1.

6. The illuminated part of a picture; the part which lies open to the luminary by which the piece is supposed to be enlightened, and is painted in vivid colors; opposed to shade.

7. Illumination of mind; instruction; knowledge.

I opened Ariosto in Italian, and the very first two lines gave me light to all I could desire.

Light, understanding and wisdom - was found in him. Dan. 5.

8. Means of knowing. By using such lights as we have, we may arrive at probability, if not at certainty.

9. Open view; a visible state; a state of being seen by the eye, or perceived, understood or known. Further researches will doubtless bring to light many isles yet undiscovered; further experiments will bring to light properties of matter yet unknown.

10. Public view or notice.

Why am I ask'd what next shall see the light?

11. Explanation; illustration; means of understanding. One part of Scripture throws light on another.

12. Point of view; situation to be seen or viewed; a use of the word taken from painting. It is useful to exhibit a subject in a variety of lights. Let every thought be presented in a strong light. In whatever light we view this event, it must be considered an evil.

13. A window; a place that admits light to enter.

1Kings 7.

14. A pane of glass; as a window with twelve lights.

15. In Scripture, God, the source of knowledge.

God is light. 1John 1.

16. Christ.

That was the true light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1.

17. Joy; comfort; felicity.

Light is sown for the righteous. Ps. 97.

18. Saving knowledge.

It is because there is no light in them. Is. 8.

19. Prosperity; happiness.

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning. Is.58.

20. Support; comfort; deliverance. Mic. 7.

21. The gospel. Matt. 4.

22. The understanding or judgment. Matt. 6.

23. The gifts and graces of christians. Matt. 5.

24. A moral instructor, as John the Baptist. John 5.

25. A true christian, a person enlightened. Eph. 5.

26. A good king, the guide of his people. Sam. 21.

The light of the countenance, favor; smiles. Ps. 4.

To stand in one's own light, to be the means of preventing good, or frustrating one's own purposes.

To come to light, to be detected; to be discovered or found.

LIGHT, a. lite.

1. Bright; clear; not dark or obscure; as, the morning is light; the apartment is light.

2. In colors, white or whitish; as a light color; a light brown; a light complexion.

LIGHT, a. lite.

1. Having little weight; not tending to the center of gravity with force; not heavy. A feather is light, compared with lead or silver; but a thing is light only comparatively. That which is light to a man, may be heavy to a child. A light burden for a camel, may be insupportable to a horse.

2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne or carried by physical strength; as a light burden, weight or load.

3. Not oppressive; easy to be suffered or endured; as a light affliction. 2Cor. 4.

4. Easy to be performed; not difficult; not requiring great strength or exertion. The task is light; the work is light.

5. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as light food. It may signify also, contained little nutriment.

6. Not heavily armed, or armed with light weapons; as light troops; a troop of light horse.

7. Active; swift; nimble.

Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. Sam. 2.

8. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments.

Unmarried men are best masters, but not best subjects; for they are light to run away.

9. Not laden; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted. The ship returned light.

10. Slight; trifling; not important; as a light error.

11. Not dense; not gross; as light vapors; light fumes.

12. Small; inconsiderable; not copious or vehement; as a light rain; a light snow.

13. Not strong; not violent; moderate; as a light wind.

14. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as a light, vain person; a light mind.

There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person, than profanely to scoff at religion.

15. Gay; airy; indulging levity; wanting dignity or solidity; trifling.

Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.

We may neither be light in prayer, now wrathful in debate.

16. Wanton; unchaste; as a woman of light carriage.

A light wife doth make a heavy husband.

17. Not of legal weight; clipped; diminished; as light coin.

To set light by, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise.

To make light of, to treat as of little consequence; to slight; to disregard.

LIGHT, v.t. lite.

1. To kindle; to inflame; to set fire to; as, to light a candle or lamp; sometimes with up; as, to light up an inextinguishable flame. We often hear lit used for lighted as, he lit a candle; but this is inelegant.

2. To give light to.

Ah hopeless, lasting flames! like those that burn to light the dead -

3. To illuminate; to fill or spread over with light; as, to light a room; to light the streets of a city.

4. To lighten; to ease of a burden. [Not in use. See Lighten.]

LIGHT, v.i. lite.

1. To fall on; to come to by chance; to happen to find; with on.

A weaker man may sometimes light on notions which had escaped a wiser.

2. To fall on; to strike.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Rev. 7.

3. To descend, as from a horse or carriage; with down, off, or from.

He lighten down from his chariot. 2Kings 5.

She lighted off the camel. Gen. 24.