Lighter

Lighter
Light Light, a. [Compar. {Lighter} (l[imac]t"[~e]r); superl. {Lightest}.] [OE. light, liht, AS. l[=i]ht, le['o]ht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG. l[=i]hti, Icel. l[=e]ttr, Dan. let, Sw. l["a]tt, Goth. leihts, and perh. to L. levis (cf. {Levity}), Gr. 'elachy`s small, Skr. laghu light. [root]125.] 1. Having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to be the center of gravity with force; not heavy. [1913 Webster]

These weights did not exert their natural gravity, . . . insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical strength; as, a light burden, or load. [1913 Webster]

Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. --Matt. xi. 29, 30. [1913 Webster]

3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a light affliction or task. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Light sufferings give us leisure to complain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food; also, containing little nutriment. [1913 Webster]

5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse. [1913 Webster]

6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift. [1913 Webster]

Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted; as, the ship returned light. [1913 Webster]

8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread. [1913 Webster]

10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light rain; a light snow; light vapors. [1913 Webster]

11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind. [1913 Webster]

12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy, graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light style of execution. [1913 Webster]

13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind. [1913 Webster]

There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial. [1913 Webster]

Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Specimens of New England humor laboriously light and lamentably mirthful. --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]

15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy. [1913 Webster]

Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain ? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered. [1913 Webster]

To a fair semblance doth light faith annex. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character. [1913 Webster]

A light wife doth make a heavy husband. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished; as, light coin. [1913 Webster]

19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil. [1913 Webster]

{Light cavalry}, {Light horse} (Mil.), light-armed soldiers mounted on strong and active horses.

{Light eater}, one who eats but little.

{Light infantry}, infantry soldiers selected and trained for rapid evolutions.

{Light of foot}. (a) Having a light step. (b) Fleet.

{Light of heart}, gay, cheerful.

{Light oil} (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water, forming the chief part of the first distillate of coal tar, and consisting largely of benzene and toluene.

{Light sails} (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails, with, also, the studding sails and flying jib. --Dana.

{Light sleeper}, one easily wakened.

{Light weight}, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey, who is below a standard medium weight. Cf. {Feather weight}, under {Feather}. [Cant]

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

{To set light by}, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lighter — lighter1 [līt′ər] n. a person or thing, as a mechanical or electrical device, that lights something or starts it burning [a cigarette lighter; charcoal lighter] lighter2 [līt′ər] n. [LME < MDu lichter < lichten, to make light, unload <… …   English World dictionary

  • Lighter — Light er, v. t. To convey by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lighter — Light er (l[imac]t [ e]r), n. One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps. [1913 Webster] {cigarette lighter} A small portable device which produces a flame when a button is pushed, carried on the person to allow one to light… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lighter — Light er, n. [D. ligter, fr. ligt light. See {Light} not heavy.] (Naut.) A large boat or barge, mainly used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery. [1913 Webster] {Lighter screw} (Mach …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lighter — Ⅰ. lighter [1] ► NOUN ▪ a device producing a small flame, used to light cigarettes. Ⅱ. lighter [2] ► NOUN ▪ a flat bottomed barge used to transfer goods to and from ships in harbour. ORIGIN from LIGHT …   English terms dictionary

  • lighter — m DEFINICIJA v. lajter …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • Lighter — For other uses, see Lighter (disambiguation). A generic, disposable lighter …   Wikipedia

  • lighter — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun ADJECTIVE ▪ cigarette ▪ butane, gas, petrol (BrE) ▪ gold, silver ▪ disposable …   Collocations dictionary

  • lighter — (Roget s IV) n. 1. [Boat] Syn. craft, barge, keel; see boat . 2. [Mechanical igniter] Syn. cigarette lighter, cigar lighter, pipe lighter, igniter, flame; see also light 3 , match 1 …   English dictionary for students

  • lighter — lighter1 /luy teuhr/, n. 1. a person or thing that lights or ignites. 2. a mechanical device used in lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes for smoking. [1545 55; LIGHT1 + ER1] lighter2 /luy teuhr/, n. 1. a large, open, flat bottomed barge, used… …   Universalium

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