Topic: DAILY LIFE
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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | leoht |
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light1 S1 W1
1
natural/artificial light
a) [uncountable] the energy from the sun, a flame, a lamp etc that allows you to see things : The morning light came streaming in through the windows. She opened the curtains to let in the light. It was late afternoon and the light was beginning to fade. a pattern of light and shade
The morning light came streaming in through the windows.She opened the curtains to let in the light.It was late afternoon and the light was beginning to fade.a pattern of light and shade in/by the light of something Eveything looked grey in the dim light of the oil lamp. We sat and talked by the light of the fire.
Eveything looked grey in the dim light of the oil lamp.We sat and talked by the light of the fire. a beam/ray/shaft of light (=a thin line of light) The clouds parted and a beam of light fell on the field.
The clouds parted and a beam of light fell on the field.b) [countable] a particular type of light, with its own particular colour, level of brightness etc : The colours look different in different lights.
The colours look different in different lights.2
lamp/electric light etc
[countable]a) an electric light : Ahead of us we could see the lights of the city. We're having a mixture of wall lights and ceiling lights in different parts of the house.
Ahead of us we could see the lights of the city.We're having a mixture of wall lights and ceiling lights in different parts of the house. a light is/comes/goes on The lights in the office were still on. The street lights were just beginning to come on. He left a light on in the kitchen.
The lights in the office were still on.The street lights were just beginning to come on.He left a light on in the kitchen.➔ the bright lights
at bright (13)b) D something such as a lamp that you can carry to give you light : Shine a light over here, will you?
Shine a light over here, will you?3 one of a set of red, green, and yellow lights used for controlling traffic [= traffic lights]: We waited for the lights to change. Eventually the lights turned green. The driver had failed to stop at a red light. ➔ green light, red-light district
traffic control
[countable usually plural]TTRWe waited for the lights to change.Eventually the lights turned green.The driver had failed to stop at a red light.4 one of the lights on a car, bicycle etc that help you to see at night : He was dazzled by the lights of oncoming traffic. You've left your lights on.
on a vehicle
[countable usually plural]TTCHe was dazzled by the lights of oncoming traffic.You've left your lights on.5 the first light that appears in the morning sky : We set out at first light the next day.
first light
literaryTMCWe set out at first light the next day.6 to prevent someone from getting all the light they need to see or do something : Could you move to the left a little - you're standing in my light.
be/stand in somebody's light
Could you move to the left a little - you're standing in my light.7 a match or something else to light a cigarette : Have you got a light, please?
for a cigarette
a light
Have you got a light, please?8 an expression in someone's eyes that shows an emotion or intention [= gleam]: There was a murderous light in his eyes.
in somebody's eyes
[singular] literaryThere was a murderous light in his eyes.9 to make something start burning : The candle fell over and set light to the barn.
set light to something
The candle fell over and set light to the barn.10 if new information comes to light, it becomes known : This evidence did not come to light until after the trial. The mistake was only brought to light some years later.
come to light
, be brought to lightThis evidence did not come to light until after the trial.The mistake was only brought to light some years later.11 to provide new information that makes a difficult subject or problem easier to understand : Melanie was able to shed some light on the situation. These discoveries may throw new light on the origins of the universe.
throw/shed/cast light on something
Melanie was able to shed some light on the situation.These discoveries may throw new light on the origins of the universe.12 if you do or decide something in the light of something else, you do it after considering that thing : In light of this tragic event, we have cancelled the 4th of July celebrations.
in the light of something
British English in light of something American EnglishIn light of this tragic event, we have cancelled the 4th of July celebrations.13 if someone or something is seen or shown in a particular light, people can see that particular part of their character : I suddenly saw my father in a new light. This incident will put the company in a very bad light.
in a new/different/bad etc light
I suddenly saw my father in a new light.This incident will put the company in a very bad light.14
see the light
a) to suddenly understand something : At last doctors have seen the light!
At last doctors have seen the light!b) RRC to begin to believe in a religion very strongly
15
see the light (of day)
a) if an object sees the light of day, it is taken from the place where it has been hidden, and becomes publicly known : Some of these documents will probably never see the light of day.
Some of these documents will probably never see the light of day.b) if a law, decision etc sees the light of day, it comes into existence for the first time
16 something that gives you hope for the future after a long and difficult period : It's been a hard few months, but we're finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
light at the end of the tunnel
It's been a hard few months, but we're finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.18 to go to sleep very quickly because you are very tired : I went straight to bed and went out like a light.
go/be out like a light
informalI went straight to bed and went out like a light.19 someone who is important in a particular organization : She's one of the leading lights of the local dramatic society.
a leading light in/of something
informalShe's one of the leading lights of the local dramatic society.20 the person that someone loves more than anyone else : Her son was the light of her life.
the light of somebody's life
Her son was the light of her life.21 a window in a roof or wall that allows light into a room
window
[countable]TBB➔ hide your light under a bushel
at bushel; ➔ be all sweetness and light
at sweetness (3); ➔ in the cold light of day
at cold1 (9)WORD FOCUS: colourWORD FOCUS: colour a particular kind of colour: shade, hint, hue
words for describing dark colours: dark, deep, rich
words for describing light colours: light, pale, soft, pastel
words for describing bright colours: bright, brilliant, vivid, garish disapproving, gaudy disapproving
having a lot of colours: colourful, multicoloured British English/multicolored American English
➔ See also colour
