Forms: 1–2 léoht, i líoht, Anglian lĕht, 2–3 leocht, 2–5 liht, (4 lyht), 3–4 lict, lit(t, lijt, 3–5 liȝt(e, lyȝt, (liȝht, lyȝhte, lyȝght), lith, 4 lyth(e, 4–6 lyght(e, (5 lyghth, 6 lyghtt), Sc. lycht, (4 lyicht), 4, 6 lyte, (4 ? leyt, 6 lytt), 5 leght, 2–3, 4– Sc. licht, 3– light. [OE. léoht str. neut. (later lĕoht, Anglian lĕht, early ME. lĭht) corresponds to OFris. liacht, OS. lioht (Du. licht), OHG. lioht (MHG. lieht, mod.G. licht):—OTeut. *leuhtom:—pre-Teut. *leuktom (also *leukotom, whence Goth. liuhaþ; for the suffix cf. NAKED a.), f. Aryan root *leuk- to shine, be white. (Not in ON., which has instead a parallel formation on the same root, liós:—*leuhs-.) According to some scholars, the sb. is the neuter of the adj. *leuhto- LIGHT a.2; on this view the primary sense would be ‘that which is bright.’
The Aryan root *leuk- (: *louk- : *lŭk-) is represented in a great number of words. In Teut., besides the words mentioned above and their derivatives, there are those mentioned under LAIT v., LEAM sb.1, LEYE; also OE. líxan to lighten. Outside Teut. the root appears in Skr. ruc to shine, rōcas, rōcís neut., brightness, rukma shining, Gr. λευκός white, λεύσσειν to see, L. lūx, lūmen light, lūcēre to shine, lūna (:—*louknā) moon, OIrish lón, lúan moon, lóche lightning, Welsh llûg light, lluched lightning, lleufer (OWelsh louber) light, OSl. luča beam of light.]
1. That natural agent or influence that (emanating from the sun, bodies intensely heated or burning, and various other sources) evokes the functional activity of the organ of sight.
a. Viewed as the medium of visual perception generally. Also, the condition of space in which light is present, and in which, therefore, vision is possible. Opposed to darkness.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. i. 3. God cwæð þa: ʓeweorðe leoht, and leoht wearð ʓeworht.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 44. Al was ðat firme ðrosing in niȝt, Til he wit hise word made liȝt.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VIII. xxviii. (1495), 339. Lyghte shedyth itselfe fro the hyghest heuen anone to the mydle of the worlde.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., i. 23. Darknes from light we parte on two.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 674. Light and lust are deadlie enemies.
1671. Milton, Samson, 90. Since light so necessary is to life.
1679. Dryden, Troilus & Cr., IV. ii. Now shine, sweet moon! let them have just light enough to make their passes.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., XXI. xiv. All colours depend on light.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. vi. 45. Beyond a certain intensity … light ceases to be light, and becomes mere pain.
b. Viewed as being itself an object of perception, cognized by means of the specific visual sensation indicated by the use of words like ‘bright,’ ‘shining,’ etc. Also, in particularized sense, individual shining or appearance of light.
For Northern, Southern Lights (= AURORA Borealis, Australis), Zodiacal light, see the adjs.
Beowulf, 727. Him of eaʓum stod liʓe ʓelicost leoht unfæʓer.
a. 1100[?]. O. E. Chron., an. 789 (Laud MS.). Heofenlic leoht [MS. F. lioht] wæs ʓelome scoʓen ðær þer he ofslaʓen wæs.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 1594. Swuch leome & liht leitede þrinne.
c. 1300. Havelok, 588. She saw þer-inne a lith ful shir, Also brith so it were day, Aboute þe knaue þer he lay.
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 3. A Gem … in whose Centre … a certaine light is seene shining … like to the Moone.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., V. i. 89. That light we see is burning in my hall.
1634. Milton, Comus, 340. With thy long levell’d rule of streaming light.
1846. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., II. III. I. v. § 4. Whatever beauty there may result from effects of light on foreground objects.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, IV. 3. The long light shakes across the lakes.
1866. M. Arnold, Thyrsis, xvii. And in the scatter’d farms the lights come out.
c. Viewed as residing in or emanating from a luminary. Phr. to give light (said of a luminary).
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxiv. 29. Se mona hys leoht ne sylð.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1771. Sun and mone had tint þair light.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 122. His [the sun’s] lem on þe loft liȝht ȝaf aboute.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. I. 163. Chastite withouten Charite … Is as lewed as a Laumpe þat no liht is inne.
1530. Tindale, Answ. More, 24. The air is dark of itself, & receiveth all her light of the sun.
1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 22. On the top stode a goodly Bekon gevyng light.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., V. iii. 125. What Torch is yond that vainely lends his light To grubs and eyelesse Sculles?
1634. Milton, Comus, 199. And fill’d their Lamps With everlasting oil, to give due light To the misled and lonely Travailer.
1716. Pope, Iliad, VIII. 688. As when the Moon … O’er Heav’ns pure Azure sheds her sacred Light.
1814. Scott, Wav., ii. The sun … poured … its chequered light through the stained window.
d. In scientific use.
The word light has been used in six special senses: (a) the thing (variously conceived as matter or energy) that is communicated from a luminous body to the body illuminated by it; (b) this thing regarded as producing sensation; (c) the sensation produced; (d) the process (variously conceived as rectilinear motion of corpuscles, undulatory motion of the ether, or periodic change of electrical and magnetic states) by which the communication is made; (e) certain characteristics of such processes (rays or waves); (f) physical energies and processes of the same type as those involved in the production of vision, but having possibly a different range of periods (e.g., Röntgen rays). The sense (c) (rare in actual use, though not uncommonly expressed in definitions) agrees with an occasional use of the word in popular language: we should, e.g., usually apply the name light to the sensation experienced when the optic nerve is excited mechanically without the intervention of a luminous body. In the sense (d) the word light is equivalent to the process of transmission of light; in the sense (e) it is equivalent to rays of light or waves of light.
(a) 1704. Newton, Opticks, I. 18. The Light of the Sun consists of Rays differently refrangible.
1811. A. T. Thomson, Lond. Disp. (1818), p. xxxvi. Light is a substance consisting of very subtle particles which are constantly emanating in straight lines from luminous bodies.
1876. Tait, Rec. Adv. Phys. Sci., iii. (ed. 2), 66. It necessarily followed that light is a form of energy.
(b) 1704. Newton (title), Opticks: or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections and Colours of Light.
1807. T. Young, Lect. Nat. Philos., II. 629. Radiant Light consists in Undulations of the luminiferous Ether.
(c) 1800. Herschel, in Phil. Trans., XC. 295. Light, both solar and terrestrial, is a sensation occasioned by rays emanating from luminous bodies.
(d) 1875. W. K. Clifford, in Fortn. Rev., XVII. 785. Thus light is described as a vibration and such properties of light as are also properties of vibrations are thereby explained.
(e) 1900. Larmor, Aether & Matter, xii. 205. For waves of high period (much higher however than ordinary light) the constant corresponding to the Hall effect becomes inoperative.
(f) 1865. Maxwell, in Phil. Trans., CLV. 466. We have strong reason to conclude that light itself including radiant heat, (and other radiations if any), is an electromagnetic disturbance in the form of waves.
1897. S. P. Thompson (title), Light visible and invisible.
e. The portion or quantity of light that comes through a window, or that is otherwise regulated so as to illuminate a given space. In a good (or bad) light: situated so as to be clearly visible (or the reverse).
In the early 17th c. false or deceiving lights are often mentioned as a kind of trickery practised by shopkeepers. See, e.g., a. 1616 Beaum. & Fl., Phylaster, V. iii. (1620), 58; a. 1626 Middleton, Wom. beware Wom., II. ii. (1657), 120; and Anyth. for quiet Life, II. ii. (1662), C 3 b.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, clxiii. 643. Other wyndowes there were … the whiche gaue great lyght into the house.
1635. Bacon, Ess., Building (Arb.), 551. A double House, without Thorow Lights, on the Sides.
1658. W. Sanderson, Graphice, 26. Place your best Pieces, to be seen with single lights. Ibid., 61. Choose your Light Northwards towards the East, one single Light only, great and fair, without any reflection of Trees or Walls.
1797. Holcroft, trans. Stolberg’s Trav. (ed. 2), II. xlii. 69. The picture … is in a bad light.
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, xvii. Bed-rooms where Lady Betty has had her hair powdered, and where the painter’s north-light now takes possession of the place which her toilet-table occupied a hundred years ago.
f. In light: exposed to rays of light, lighted up.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, Concl. 41. The happy valleys, half in light and half Far-shadowing from the west.
g. One’s light: the ordinary measure of light that a person enjoys, or expects to enjoy, for seeing around him. To stand in a person’s light = to cut him off from the enjoyment of it; hence this and similar phrases are used fig. to express injury done to a person’s interests; so to stand (Sc. also to sit) in one’s own light. † To lay in (a person’s) light: to bring as an objection against.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Miller’s T., 210. Bycause that he fer was from hir sighte, This nye Nicholas stood in his lighte.
1528. More, Dialogue Heresyes, IV. Wks. 252/1. He could shewe a fayre law,… which lawe if it wer laied in their light that would take vpon them the defence of any worship to be done to ymages, would make al theyr eyen dase.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), II. 73. We sat ouir far into oure awin licht.
1538. Bale, God’s Promises, V. 21. What tho’ fearce Pharao wrought myschef in thy syght, He was a pagan, lay not that in our lyght.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov., II. iv. Wks. (1562), G ij. How blindly ye stand in your owne light.
1601. Dent, Pathw. Heaven, 222. They [the wicked] be much their owne foes, and stand in their owne light.
1633. B. Jonson, Tale Tub, II. i. Take a vool’s Counsel, and do not stand in your own light.
1637. Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 226. And do we not sit far in our own light, to make it a matter of bairn’s play.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xxxix. To take away the character of a lad that’s been a good servant to you, because he can’t afford to stand in his own light for your good.
1856. Reade, Never too late, lxx. Don’t stand in the poor girl’s light.
Mod. colloq. Please move a little farther that way; you are in my light.
h. A gleam or sparkle in the eye, expressive of animated feeling or the like.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 1378. And dying eyes gleem’d forth their ashie lights.
1833. H. Coleridge, Song, ‘She is not fair,’ 10. I cease not to behold The love-light in her eye.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xxxix. He was followed by Cassy, pale, calm … and with that same fearful light in her eye.
1893. Pall Mall Mag., Christm. No. 249. He had … an eye without light, a voice without charm.
i. To put out or quench (one’s) light: to extinguish his ‘vital spark.’
1604. Shaks., Oth., V. ii. 10–13. But once put out thy Light, Thou cunning’st Patterne of excelling Nature, I know now where is that Promethæan heate That can thy Light re-Lume.
a. 1616. Beaum. & Fl., Maid’s Trag., IV. i. (1619), G 4 b. Evad. You will not murther me? Mel. No, tis a iustice and a noble one, To put the light out of such base offenders.
1810. Scott, Lady of L., III. xi. Quench thou his light, Destruction dark!
j. pl. [after L. lumina.] Graces of style. rare–1.
1710. Addison, Tatler, No. 267, ¶ 4. Bacon … had the … comprehensive Knowledge of Aristotle, with all the beautiful Lights, Graces, and Embellishments of Cicero.
k. fig. Light of one’s eye(s: applied to a loved object.
a. 1000. Juliana, 95. Ðu eart dohtor min … minra eaʓna leoht.
1636. Massinger, Gt. Dk. Florence, IV. ii. She was the light of my eyes, and comfort of My feeble age.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 108. O my beloved! O light of mine eye.
l. The light of God’s countenance: in Ps. iv. 6, etc. = Divine favor. In allusion to this, the light of (a person’s) countenance is often sarcastically used for: (his) sanction, approving presence.
1890. Hall Caine, Bondman, I. i. Count Trollop was in Iceland at this celebration of the ancient festival, and he was induced by Jorgen to give it the light of his countenance.
2. spec. The illumination that proceeds from the sun in day-time; daylight. Also, the time of daylight; day-time, day-break. (Usually the light. Also the light of day.)
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. (Th.), lxxvii. 33. Ær leohte [L. ante lucem].
c. 1020. Rule St. Benet, viii. (Logeman), 37. Onginnendum leohte [L. incipiente luce].
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 233. Hwat deð si moder hire bearn, formes hi hit cheteð and blissið be þe lichte.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 14195. Qua has to wenden ani wai, God es to go bi light o dai.
c. 1300. Proverbs of Hending, xxxvi. in Salomon & Sat. (1848), 279. Drynk eft lasse, and go by lyhte hom, quoþ Hendyng.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter cxviii. 148. As a goed werk man þat rysis bifor light til his werk.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 138. Lyke as the precyous stone, the more it is polyshed or rubbed, the more perfytly it receyueth the lyght.
a. 1600. Montgomerie, Misc. P., v. 26. All day I wot not what to do, I loth to sie the licht.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 613. Their Morning Milk, the Peasants press at Night: Their Evening Meal before the rising Light To Market bear. Ibid., IV. 274. Then having spent the last Remains of Light, They give their Bodies due Repose at Night.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem. (1814), 230. Plants grow vigorously only when supplied with light.
1860–1. Flor. Nightingale, Nursing, 59. Almost all patients lie with their faces turned to the light exactly as plants always make their way towards the light.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 134. The appointed hour was approaching when man in his turn was to go forth into the light of day.
b. In the asseverative phrase by this (good) light. Also by God’s light: see GOD 14 a and ’SLIGHT. arch.
c. 1510. Interl. Four Elem. (Percy Soc.), 23. Thou art a mad gest, be this lyght!
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, V. iv. 93. Come, I will haue thee, but by this light I take thee for pittie. Ibid. (1610), Temp., II. ii. 147. By this good light.
1625. Fletcher, Noble Gent., V. i. Beau. Catcht, by this light!
1821. Scott, Kenilw., iv. By this light, Anthony, thou art mad.
c. To see the light, to come into the world; to be brought forth or published.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith. (1690), Ded. Had not the Doctrins offended France, they had long since seen the light.
1705. Hearne, Collect., 20 July (O. H. S.), I. 10. He is resolv’d it [a book] shall see ye Light.
1752. Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), I. 175. As soon as the helpless infant sees the light.
3. The state of being visible or exposed to view. To come to light (in early use † in, on light): to be revealed, disclosed, made visible or made known. To bring (rarely † put) to light (cf. F. mettre en lumière): to reveal, make known, publish.
a. 1000. Elene, 1123 (Gr.). Nu is in leoht cymen, onwriʓen wyrda bigang.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 15892. He drogh him bak behind þe men Wald he noght cum in light.
1535. Coverdale, Ezek. xvi. 57. When thou wast in thy pryde, and before thy wickednesse came to light.
1549. T. Some, Latimer’s 7 Serm., Ep. Ded. (Arb.), 19. I haue gathered, writ, and brought into lyght the famous fryday sermons of Mayster Hugh Latimer.
1567. Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 44. Thairby it sall cum to lycht That ze ar my Disciples rycht.
1597. Morley, Introd. Mus., Ded. It is necessary for him who shall put to light any such thing as this is, to choose such a patron [etc.].
1611. Bible, Job xxviii. 11. The thing that is hid, bringeth he foorth to light.
1643. Declar. Comm., Reb. Irel., 57. Their devillish designes and devices are come to light, and brought to our Knowledge.
1765. Parsons, in Phil. Trans., LV. 48. A worthy family who … had lived in Virginia several years in a conspicuous light.
1870. Max Müller, Sci. Relig. (1873), 285. Everybody wished … to bring to light some of the treasures.
1871. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xviii. 224. Its history is shrouded in the darkness which surrounds all the doings of its Earl till he breaks forth into full light in the course of the next year.
1891. Law Times, XCII. 18/2. Another defect in the Rules of Court 1883 has come to light.
4. Power of vision, eyesight (now poet. or rhet.). Also pl. = the eyes (now only slang).
971. Blickl. Hom., 19. Gehyran we nu forwhon se blinda leoht onfeng. Ibid., 21. Se blinda … bæd his eaʓena leohtes.
c. 1250. Meid Maregrete, 42. Nis no tonge an erþe ne non eyen litt Ðat mai telle þe ioie.
1580. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 340. Hir eyes hasill, yet bright, and such were the lyghtes of Venus.
1599. Broughton’s Lett., vii. 21. The weakning of his [Samson’s] strength lost his libertie and his light.
1607. Wilkins, Mis. Enforced Marr., II. D 1 b. Lift vp thine eyes … They were not borne to loose their light so soone.
1815. Sporting Mag., XLV. 161. He mill’d the stout Caleb and darken’d his lights.
1883. R. W. Dixon, Mano, I. xii. 38. His ministers with point of piercing sword Put out my light for ever.
5. A body that emits illuminating rays. a. The sun or other heavenly body (after Gen. i. 16).
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., III. 234. On ðam feorðan dæʓe ʓesceop God twa miccle leoht, þæt is sunne and mona.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst. i. 21. Make we heuen & erth … and lyghtys fayre to se.
1574. W. Bourne, Regiment for Sea, ix. (1577), 34 b. You may knowe it by the Arke or bearing of the Starres and lyghtes rounde about you.
1608. Shaks., Per., II. iii. 41. And hee the Sunne for them to reuerence; None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, Did vaile their Crownes to his supremacie.
1819. J. Wilson, Dict. Astrol., Lights, the luminaries.
1871. R. Ellis, trans. Catullus, lxii. 26. Hesper, shineth in heaven a light more genial ever?
b. An ignited candle, lamp, gas-jet, or the like. Hence wax lights = wax candles for lighting (now rare in this use: cf. 14 b).
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom. (Th.), I. 150. We sceolan on ðisum dæʓe beran ure leoht to cyrcan, and lætan hi ðær bletsian.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4231. Many liȝtis of a liȝt is liȝtid othire-quile.
c. 1420. St. Editha, 1276 (Horstm.). Þis mayde toke hit [sc. þe cerge] þo from þat place & blewe ouȝt þe leyȝt anone sodanly.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. vi. 169. Sette liȝtis or laumpis bifore hem [images].
1537. Bury Wills (Camden), 128. I wyll have a lyte brynnyng yn the chansell before the sacrement.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 207 b. In this chamber was hanged a great braunche of silver percell gilte, to beare lightes.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 673. This said, he sets his foote vppon the light.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. xxxiii. 301. Both rich and poor vse this tallowe for lightes.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, ii. The lights were lighted in a large, comfortable, well-furnished room.
1861. C. Reade, Cloister & H., lvii. (1896), 174. A Tuscan noble promised ten pounds of wax lights to our lady of Ravenna.
1888. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 July, 6/2. The common practice of seeking for an escape of gas with a light caused a serious explosion yesterday morning.
c. collect. The candles or other illuminants used to light a particular place; lights collectively. † Also, material to be burnt for lighting.
a. 1023. Wulfstan, Hom., Sermo Lupi (Napier), 308. Godes cyrcan … mid leohte and lacum hy ʓelome ʓegretan.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7806. Vor me ne miȝte no chirchegong wiþoute liȝte do.
c. 1300. Havelok, 576. Grim bad Leue bringen lict, For to don on his cloþes.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 317. An hondred mark to Seynt Peter his liȝt.
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 7. Eueri quarter for to meyntene þe liȝt & þe almesse of þe broþerhede .iij.d.
1430. E. E. Wills (1882), 85. To our lady lyght, vjd. … Item to seint Mergret lyght, iiijd.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. vi. 170. Forto knele and preie and bere liȝt and sette up candelis bifore an ymage.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 281. Scho gert graith wp a burd … honowryt with gret lycht.
1520. Carpenters’ Accts., in Sharp, Cov. Myst. (1825), 186. Payd for lyght for the Cressetts xd. Ibid. (1561). For carryinge ij cressites and iij stone of lyght … ijs.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., Stat. Robt. I., 27 b. Lands given and disponed for singing, or for licht in the kirk.
d. A signal-fire or beacon-lamp, esp. on a ship or in a lighthouse; often with prefixed qualification as fixed, flashing, intermittent, revolving light. Hence, used for the lighthouse itself.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, III. xi. 155. In the beginning of the night the Admiralls light failed so, as the other shippe never see them after.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., 253. On the evening of the 3rd of April, Sir Edward ‘made the light’ of the Baleines on the Isle of Rhée.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., Introd. 5. The original lantern for the light was of a diameter somewhat exceeding five feet.
1793, 1858. [see FLOATING LIGHT].
1798. Coleridge, Anc. Mar., VI. xxi. They stood as signals to the land, Each one a lovely light.
1850. A. Stevenson, Treat. Lighthouses, I. 106. The succession of red and white lights is caused by the revolution of a frame whose different sides present red and white lights…. The flashing light is produced in the same manner as the revolving light. Ibid., 107. The intermittent light is distinguished by bursting suddenly into view and continuing steady for a short time, after which it is suddenly eclipsed for half a minute…. This distinction, as well as that called the flashing light, is peculiar to the Scotch coast.
1863. Murray’s Handbk. Kent & Sussex, 157. The wall, like that of its sister light at Gessoriacum…, is composed of [etc.].
1894. A. Robertson, Nuggets, 44. Revealing the object he was in search of, as a harbour light reveals the port.
1896. A. E. Housman, Shropshire Lad, lix. Black towers above the Portland light The felon-quarried stone.
† e. A linkman. Obs.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 454, ¶ 7. I went to my Lodging, led by a Light,… and made him give me an Account of the Charge [etc.].
6. Used fig. with reference to mental illumination or elucidation.
a. In phrases, as to give (carry, bring) light († to or into a subject). Also to get or receive light. Now usually to throw (cast, shed) light upon. † To have need of light, to need explanation.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. iii. 16. Ech man having to do with suche questiouns mai soone se that Holi Writt ȝeueth litil or noon liȝt therto at al.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 127. This carde should seme to giue a great light and knowledge vnto Nauigation.
1581. Lambarde, Eiren., I. ix. (1602), 42. The Salutation of the Queene is but a Catologue of all the names of the Iustices, and contayneth nothing that hath neede of light.
1657–8. Burton’s Diary (1828), II. 423. I have received great light from him, and hope for much more.
c. 1680. Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 116. Thus I have given you what light I could into both these expressions.
1696. Whiston, Theory Earth, II. (1722), 102. This Matter will … give light and strength to some of the former Testimonies.
1706. Hearne, Collect., 19 Jan. (O. H. S.), I. 165. Mr. Hugh Broughton … had ye chief Hand and gave light to yt Work.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. xi. (1840), 235. Can you give me no further light into it?
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., IV. § 2. Arguments … which carry light have their effect, even against an opponent who shuts his eyes.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 192. I was very desirous to get some light into some of the sensible qualities, that might probably occasion the difference.
1855. Bain, Senses & Int., I. ii. § 10 (1864), 38. The experimental enquiries of recent years have thrown much light upon this obscure and mysterious subject.
1860. Adler, Fauriel’s Prov. Poetry, xvi. 351. It is on these antecedents that I shall first endeavor to shed some light.
1884. D. Hunter, trans. Reuss’s Hist. Canon, iv. 57. The various aberrations of heresy are well suited for casting some light on the history of the canon.
b. Illumination or enlightenment, as a possession of the mind, or as derivable from some particular source. Light of nature, the capacity given to man of discerning certain divine truths without the help of revelation.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 134. Thes maner thynges a man may not do wythout wysdome and vndyrstondynge and lyght of connynge.
1595. Shaks., John, IV. iii. 61. We had a kinde of light, what would ensue.
1599. [Cartwright], Christian Let., 7. Yet you infer that the light of nature teacheth some knowledge naturall whiche is necessarie to saluation.
1630. Prynne, God No Impostor, 12. It is a greater good or happinesse then man by all the light of Art or Nature can attaine vnto.
1669. Bunyan, Holy Citie, 195. These words do, in my present Light, point [etc.].
1710. Berkeley, Princ. Hum. Knowl., § 72. If we follow the light of reason. Ibid. (1732), Alciphr., I. § 2. Having spread so much light and knowledge over the land.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 191. The men of England, the men, I mean, of light and leading in England.
1821. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. Old Benchers. Lovel … was a quick little fellow, and would despatch it [business] out of hand by the light of natural understanding.
1852. H. Rogers, Ecl. Faith (1853), 108. That is the point on which I want light!
1871. Morley, Condorcet, in Crit. Misc., Ser. I. (1878), 87. Less read throughout Europe by men of superior light.
1894. Jessopp, Random Roaming, etc. iv. 145. The Rector … doing his duty according to his light as a country parson.
c. pl. (a) Pieces of information or instruction; facts, discoveries or suggestions that explain a subject. (b) The opinions, information, and capacities, natural or acquired, of an individual intellect. (Cf. F. lumières.) Often in phr. according to (one’s) lights.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 125. He hath his suggestyons, felynges, & lyghtes.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 217. We may entertaine some lights out of authentique Story.
1683. Temple, Mem., Wks. 1731, I. 387. I had long Conversations with the Pensioner, by which I gain’d the Lights necessary to discover the whole present Scene of Affairs.
1748. Anson’s Voy., III. vii. 354. The Governor … might be expected to give us the best lights for avoiding this perplexity.
1793. W. Roy, Milit. Antiq. Rom. Brit., Introd., in Skene, Celtic Scot. (1876), Introd. I. 23. Many new lights concerning the Roman history and geography of Britain.
1831. Brewster, Newton (1855), II. xxi. 262. The most distinguished of his successors, with all the lights of a century and a half, could not have stated more correctly [etc.].
1861. Thackeray, Four Georges, iii. (1876), 83. He did his best; he worked according to his lights.
1867. Trollope, Chron. Barset, II. lvii. 140. He trusted that Grace would understand this by her own natural lights.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 503. We may love and honour the intentions of these excellent people, as far as their lights extend.
1879. Trollope, Thackeray, 112. To Pen and to Pen’s mother he is beneficent after his lights.
d. New light(s: novel doctrines (esp. theological and ecclesiastical) the partisans of which lay claim to superior enlightenment; hence by antithesis Old light(s, the traditional doctrines to which the ‘new lights’ are opposed. Also attrib. as in New Light, Old Light men, teachers, doctrines, etc., whence New Lights, Old Lights, as designations for persons holding ‘New Light’ and ‘Old Light’ views.
In Scotland the appellations New Lights, Old Lights (Sc. Auld Lichts) have been current in two different applications: (a) as occasional names for the Moderate and the Evangelical party in the Established Church (so used e.g., by Burns); (b) as the usual popular names for the two bodies into which the Associate (or Burgher) Synod was divided in 1799, and the two into which the General Associate (or Antiburgher) Synod was divided in 1806; in each case the ‘Old Light’ minority (adhering to the ‘covenanted reformation’ and to the principle of a national church) formed themselves into a separate presbytery, and in 1842 the few remaining Old Light Burghers and Old Light Antiburghers joined to form the Synod of United Original Seceders, to which the name ‘Auld Lichts’ is still frequently applied.
1650. Hubbert, Pill Formality, 67. Those that dare even in their Pulpits, mock, and cry out against new lights.
1659. Bp. Walton, Consid. Considered, 176. Give greater occasion to those, who brag of their new lights,… to reject all Scripture as useless.
c. 1665. South, Serm. 1 Kings xiii. 33. Serm. (1715), 151. Against which New Lights, sudden Impulses of the Spirit, Extraordinary Calls, will be but weak Arguments.
1722. Sewel, Hist. Quakers (1795), I. 19. He was afraid of Fox, for going after new lights.
1744. Jon. Edwards, Wks., 1834, I. p. cxviii/1. To attend the ministry of those that are called New Light Ministers.
1785. Burns, Ep. W. Simpson, xxvii. An’ some their new-light fair avow, Just quite barefac’t. Ibid., xxx. Some auld-light herds in neebor towns Are mind’t [etc.].
1806. R. Forsyth, Beauties Scotl., III. 429. The burgher associate clergy … have … resolved to expunge the offending passage from the Confession of Faith. Twelve or thirteen of their clergy … have wished to retain the Confession of Faith unaltered…. They are called the adherents of the old light, in opposition to the majority of their brethren, whom they term new light men.
1874. Blunt, Dict. Sects, s.v. Burghers, On Sept. 5th 1799 … the Burgher body split into two parties, called respectively the Old-Light and the New-Light. On October 2nd the Old-Light minority constituted themselves into a separate Presbytery. Ibid. In 1820 the New-Light Burghers united with the New-Light Antiburghers, and took the name of the United Secession.
1888. Barrie (title), Auld Licht Idylls.
e. A suggestion or help to the solution of a problem or enigma. Now spec. in an acrostic puzzle, each of the words that are to be guessed, their initials (or initials and finals) forming the word or words in which the answer to the puzzle consists.
1894. World, 3 Jan. XL. 37/1. Acrostics…. When ‘second thoughts’ are sent, the whole answer should be forwarded, not corrections to separate lights only.
7. Often with spiritual reference (said of the brightness of Heaven, the illumination of the soul by divine truth or love, etc.). Angel (or spirit) of light, one who dwells in Heaven.
971. Blickl. Hom., 17. Se þe ne can þa beorhtnesse þæs ecan leohtes.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 13. Ðese six werkes of brictnesse … he ben nemned lichtes wapne.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 92. God wule … ȝiuen on liht wiðinnen, him uorto iseonne, ant icnowen.
c. 1340. Hampole, Wks. (Horstm.), I. 13. Mare priuilyer he [Satan] transfigurs hym in þe forme of an awngel of lyght.
a. 1400. Prymer (1891), 73. That thou sette the soule of thy seruant … in the Kyngdom of pees and of liȝt.
1588. J. Udall, Demonstr. Discipl. (Arb.), 18. The light of the Gospell is (at the least) as cleare as that of the law.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., IV. iii. 257. Diuels soonest tempt resembling spirits of light.
1732. Law, Serious C., v. (ed. 2), 71. To walk in the light of Religion.
1738. Wesley, Psalms, LXXXVIII. i. Thou art the God of Light!
1827. Hare, Guesses (1859), 28. Beware, ye who walk in light, lest ye turn your light into a curse.
1854. Faber, Oratory Hymns, lxvii. ‘Hark! hark! my soul,’ i. Angels of Jesus! Angels of light!
b. spec. Among Quakers, the inward revelation of Christ in the soul.
1656. G. Fox, Jrnl., I. 271. That which is called life in Christ the Word, was called light in us.
1706. [E. Ward], Wooden World Dissected (1708), 89. Tho’ he’s more beholden to Sol, than a Quaker to his inward Light.
a. 1713. Ellwood, Autobiog. (1714). 45. I now saw, in and by the farther Openings of the Divine Light in me.
1765. Maclaine, trans. Mosheim’s Eccl. Hist. (1768), V. 25. They [Quakers] prefer … to be called, in allusion to that doctrine that is the fundamental principle of their association, Children or Confessors of Light.
c. Applied to God as the source of divine light, and to men who manifest it.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. v. 14. Ge synt middaneardes leoht.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, Prol. 129. God … of þis warld callit þame þe lichte.
1567. Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 45. Call on the Lord, our gyde and lycht.
1859. FitzGerald, trans. Omar, lvi. (1899), 87. Whether the one True Light Kindle to Love, or Wrath consume me quite.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 588. In the presence of God Who is Light, all earthly light shall fail.
8. In figurative uses of sense 5:
a. One who is eminent or conspicuous for virtue, intellect, or other excellence; a luminary.
[1526. Tindale, John v. 35. He was a brennynge and a shynynge light.]
1592. Davies, Immort. Soul, VI. i. (1714), 43. Some who were great Lights of old, And in their Hands the Lamp of God did bear.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. i. 6. Those Sunnes of Glory, those two Lights of Men.
1630. Prynne, Anti-Armin., 82. He was … a worthy light of our Church.
1693. J. Edwards, Author. O. & N. Test., 78. Those eminent lights of the Latin church, Rufinus, Jerom, Hilary.
a. 1700. Dryden, Iliad, I. 370. If both the Lights Of Greece their private Int’rest disunites.
1832. Tennyson, Dream Fair Wom., 268. Joan of Arc, A light of ancient France.
1837. Disraeli, Venetia, I. iv. He had been one of the shining lights of his university.
1868. Helps, Realmah, xiii. (1876), 367. The great lights of the Bench.
1894. Jessopp, Random Roaming, etc. v. 189. I know of one eminent man of science, who was a burning and shining light in his day.
b. A bright example.
1550. Crowley, Waie to Wealth (1872), 139. Fingered ladies, whose womanlike behauiour and motherlike housewifry ought to be a lighte to al women.
9. In figurative uses of sense 1 e: A consideration that elucidates or that suggests a particular (true or false) view of a subject. Hence, the aspect in which anything is viewed or judged. In the light of: (a) with the help afforded by knowledge of (some fact); (b) in the aspect or character of, viewed as being (so and so).
1689–90. Temple, Ess., Gardening, Wks. 1731, I. 174. Cæsar, if considered in all Lights.
1705. Addison, Italy, Pref. I have mention’d but few Things in common with others, that are not either set in a new Light or accompany’d with different Reflections.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 518, ¶ 9. As you have considered human nature in all its lights.
1719. W. Wood, Surv. Trade, p. v. Should we consider your Majesty under this Light.
1748. Anson’s Voy., II. v. 182. In this light it will easily appear, how much more intense the same degree of heat may prove.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, V. i. Those great judges whose vast strength of genius hath placed them in the light of legislators.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 163. In the light of a foremast seaman, he appeared to be quite a Genius.
1834. Macaulay, in Trevelyan, Life, I. 373. I quite enjoy the thought of appearing in the light of an old hunks who knows on which side his bread is buttered.
1891. E. Peacock, N. Brendon, I. 289. In what light did she strike you?
1893. Times, 1 June, 8/5. In the light of all that has been said and done since the last general election.
10. A window or other opening in a wall for the admission of light; spec. one of the perpendicular divisions of a mullioned window.
14[?]. in Willis, Archit. Nomencl. Mid. Ages (1844), 51. Three windowes, every windowe conteineth vj lights…. Item ij hiest small lights.
a. 1490. Botoner, Itin. (Nasmith, 1778), 287. Sunt in qualibet bay-wyndow septem lyghtis.
1523. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), 174. A wynddoo of thre lightes to be placed in the north ile.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, I. (1590), 8. The lightes, doores and staires, rather directed to the vse of the guest, then to the eye of the Artificer.
1608. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 720. They shut their doores against them [Frogs], and stopped up all their lights to exclude them out of their houses.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, ii. ¶ 1. For the making the height of his Lights to bear a rational proportion to the capacity of the Room.
1723. Chambers, trans. Le Clerc’s Treat. Archit., I. 133. Round or Oval Lights … make a very beautiful Diversity with the larger Windows.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. xxi. 254. Clear Oyster-shell Lights, that are far inferior to Lights of Glass.
1760. Raper, in Phil. Trans., LI. 804. The diameter of the circular light at top is 27 feet 5 inches.
1823. Rutter, Fonthill, 55. The third window … two lights high, and four wide.
1879. Sir G. Scott, Lect. Archit., I. 182. The east and west windows, of five lights each.
b. Gardening. One of the glazed compartments (usually admitting of being opened) forming the roof or side of a greenhouse or the top of a frame.
1733. Miller, Gardener’s Dict. (ed. 2), s.v. Hot-bed, Some have them [Frames] to contain but two Lights, which is very handy for raising Cucumber and Melon Plants.
1821. W. Cobbett, Amer. Gardener, § 106. Air is given by pushing up, or drawing down, the Lights, which form the top or roof of the green-house. Ibid. (1829), Eng. Gardener, § 49. Upon this frame, glazed sashes are put, which are called lights.
1847. Mrs. Loudon, Amateur Gard. Cal. (1857), 208. A frame with glass lights like those used for melon and cucumber beds.
1859. R. Thompson, Gardener’s Assist., 625. The soil should be watered about ten a.m., shutting down the lights for a short time, in order to prevent a chill taking place.
11. Mech. An aperture or clear space. (Cf. F. lumière.)
1776. G. Semple, Building in Water, 12. These Arches consist of a Semi-circle, and the Depth of their Archivolte is a tenth Part of the light or void of the greater, and an eighth Part of the light of the lesser ones.
1884. F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm. Handbk., 59. See that the ‘lights’ between the wheel teeth and the edge of the roller are equal on both sides when the wheel is locked.
12. Painting. Light or illuminated surface, as represented in a picture, or considered in regard to such representation; any portion of a picture represented as lighted up.
In this sense perh. mixed with an absolute use of LIGHT a.2 Fr. has both lumière and clair in similar applications.
1622. Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., I. 3. With this onely did he fill and finish his Table, gluing in the rest Lights and shadowes, as might sute best with each seuerall part.
1658. W. Sanderson, Graphice, 66. In what places you will have those strong and high lights, and reflections to fall, which are seen in satten and velvet. Ibid. Lay your light with thinne and waterish Lake.
1709. Felton, Classics (1718), 69. It is in Writing, as in Picture, in which the Art is to observe where the Lights will fall.
1748. Anson’s Voy., II. x. 412. It is very unusual to see the light and shade justly and naturally handled [in Chinese pictures].
1811. Self Instructor, 513. Giving the lights their proper value.
c. 1816. Fuseli, in Lect. Paint., viii. (1848), 505. One point is the brightest in the eye, as on the object; this is the point of light.
1821. Craig, Lect. Drawing, iii. 153. A light is made brighter by being opposed to a dark.
1843. Ruskin, Arrows of Chace (1880), I. 5. The Italian masters universally make the horizon the chief light of their picture.
1859. Gullick & Timbs, Paint., 204. Selecting some point of ‘highest light.’
1867. Tennyson, Window, 1. The lights and shadows fly! Yonder it brightens and darkens down on the plain.
fig. 1732. Pope, Ess. Man, II. 121. The lights and shades, whose well-accorded strife Gives all the strength and colour of our life.
13. Law. The light that falls on the windows of a house from the heavens, and which the owner claims to enjoy unobscured by obstructions erected by his neighbors. Usu. in pl.
In England the inscription ‘Ancient Lights’ is frequently put on the face or side of a house adjacent to a site on which lofty buildings may be erected; the object being to give warning that the owner will have ground of action against any person who shall obstruct the access of light to his windows. (Cf. sense 10 above.)
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 5. If a house or wall is erected so near to mine that it stops my antient lights,… I may enter my neighbour’s land, and peaceably pull it down.
1858. Ld. St. Leonards, Handy-bk. Prop. Law, vii. 48. If a house is sold with all the lights belonging to it, and it is intended to build upon the adjoining ground … so as to interfere with the lights, the right to build in that manner should be expressly reserved. Ibid., xxv. 187. You should keep in view this distinction between the right to light, and rights of common and of way, or the like.
14. a. A flame or spark serving to ignite any combustible substance. To strike a light, to produce a flame or spark with flint and steel or with a match (see STRIKE v.). b. Something used for igniting; e.g., a spill, taper, match.
1684. Bunyan, Pilgr., II. (1900), 277. Wherefore he strook a Light (for he never goes also without his Tinder-box).
1835. W. Irving, Tour Prairies, 281. We had implements to strike a light.
1835. Marryat, Three Cutters, i. Tell Mr. Simpson to bring me a light for my cigar.
1852. Dickens, Bleak Ho., xi. Krook takes it [a candle], goes to the fire, stoops over the red embers, and tries to get a light.
1889. Besant, Bell of St. Paul’s, I. 170. A jar of tobacco, and a box of lights.
Mod. Go and put a light to the fire in the dining-room.
15. attrib. and Comb. a. simple attrib., as light-beam, -glare, -spot, -wave; b. objective, as light-bearer, -bringer, -creating, -giver, -giving, -grasping, -hating, -maker, -making; instrumental, etc., as light-embroidered, -gilded.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VIII. xliii. (Tollem. MS.). A *lyȝt bem [L. radius] is a bryȝte strem of a body of lyȝte.
1845. Carlyle, Cromwell (1871), IV. 119. Straggling accidental light beams.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 67 b. The sterre called lucifer: that is to say the *lyght berer.
1852. G. P. R. James, Agnes Sorel (1860), I. 257. Two of the light-bearers cast down their torches and fled.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., II. v. (1838), 170. By this fairest of Orient *Light-bringers must our Friend be blandished.
1781. Cowper, Truth, 390. The *light-creating God.
1745–6. Collins, Ode Liberty, iv. 16. Clouds, that lie Paving the light-embroider’d Sky.
c. 1670. H. Anderson, Crt. Convert, 7. We must … Leave the fair Train, and the *light-guilded Room.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. i. 16. And God made two greet *liȝt ȝyuerys [Vulg. luminaria].
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 20. Poetry … hath been the first light-giuer to ignorance.
1883. Cassell’s Fam. Mag., July, 464/1. It consists of a wick or light-giver, formed of vegetable carbon bent in the form of a loop.
1427–9. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 364/2. A redy Bekyn, wheryn shall be *light gevyng by nyht, to alle the Vesselx that [etc.].
1863. I. Williams, Baptistery, I. v. (1874), 54. The light-giving face That lights the heavens.
1856. Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, VI. 572. He had been covered overmuch To keep him from the *light-glare.
1889. Tablet, 2 Nov., 688. The most powerful *light-grasping instruments as yet used.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, III. App. xxxvii. *Light-hating ghosts.
1382. Wyclif, Ezek. xxxii. 8. Y shal make alle *liȝtmakers [Vulg. luminaria] of heuen for to mourne vpon thee.
1800. Herschel, in Phil. Trans., XC. 528. *Light-making rays.
1884. Earle, Ags. Lit., 98. Anglia became for a century the *light-spot of European history.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sci. (1879), II. viii. 110. Different *light-waves produce different colours.
16. Special Comb.: light-ball Mil., a combustible fired from a mortar at night, to throw light on the operations of the enemy; light-boat = LIGHTSHIP; † light-bolt, a thunderbolt; also fig.; light-box, † (a) a certain apparatus for striking a light by chemical means; (b) Naut. = light-room (Cent. Dict.); light-due, -duty, a toll levied on ships for the maintenance of lights in lighthouses and lightships; † light-fat, a lamp; light-head, the top portion of a ‘light’ (sense 10); light-keeper, one who has charge of the light in a lighthouse or lightship; light-land (Hist.), land given for the maintenance of light at an altar or shrine; light-man, (a) one who attends to the light (in a lighthouse, etc.); a light-keeper; (b) a linkman; hence lightmanship, the office or duty of a lightman; light-money = light-due; light-picture, a photograph; light-port (see quot. 1867); light-room, (a) a small chamber next to the magazine in a war-ship, in which lights are placed behind thick glass windows for illuminating the magazine; (b) the room at the top of a lighthouse containing the lighting apparatus; light-shot Hist., a due levied for furnishing the church with lights [= OE. leoht-ʓesceot]; light-struck a., (a) ? thunderstruck; (b) Photogr., injured by exposure to actinic light; light-tight a., impervious to light; light-tower, a lighthouse; light-vessel = LIGHTSHIP; light-year (see quot. 1890).
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), II. 766/2. Fire-balls, *light-balls, smoke-balls, [etc.].
1859. F. A. Griffiths, Artil. Man. (1862), 86. Light balls burn from 10 to 20 minutes.
1858. Homans, Cycl. Commerce, 1237. *Light-Boats and their Accessories.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 76. Thundring *lightbolts from torne clowds fyrye be flasshing.
a. 1603. Brewer, Lingua, IV. i. (1607), H. Therefore more murthering art thou then the light bolt.
1647. Trapp, Comm. Rev. xii. 8. Whatsoever the pope with his bulls, or the emperor with his light-bolts, did to hinder it, still the gospel ran and was glorified.
1853. C. Knight, Once upon a Time, II. 273. By-and-by the *light-box was sold as low as a shilling.
1839. Penny Cycl., XIII. 479/1. *Light-dues are collected … upon ships frequenting our ports.
1860. R. Bursell, in Merc. Marine Mag., VII. 4. The Light dues … are one shilling per ton.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 84. The condition of their receiving the *light duties was that of maintaining a light.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John v. 35. He wæs byrnende *leoht-fæt [Vulg. lucerna] & lyhtende.
c. 1200. Ormin, 13399. Þurrh Filippe onn Ennglish iss Lihhtfattess muþ bitacnedd.
1886. Willis & Clark, Cambridge, III. 554. The windows of the upper chambers are pointed, and divided into two lights by a monial which branches over the *light-heads.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 310. They would fully instruct the person entered as *Light-keeper.
1860. Merc. Marine Mag., VII. 94. Its base is surrounded by the lightkeeper’s dwellingsm, in the for of a decagon.
1879. E. Waterton, Pietas Mariana Brit., 85. Lands given for this purpose were called lamp-lands and *light-lands.
1457. Churchw. Acc. Yatton (Som. Rec. Soc.), 99. For the *lytemen of Cleve … yrecevede iiii marke iis.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Wks. (1760), IV. 255. The midwife moon might mind her calling, And noisy lightman leave his bawling.
1889. A. T. Pask, Eyes Thames, 68. Box-making, for which the Nore lightmen have been famous for years past.
1534. Churchw. Acc. Yatton (Som. Rec. Soc.), 148. Of John Wassborowe for *lygthmanshepe …vis. viijd.
1672. Marvell, Corr., cci. Wks. 1872–5, II. 399. He will on his part give you the best security … from the time that the *light-mony shall begin to be payd.
1755. Magens, Insurances, I. 518. For Pilotage and Light-Money £10 10.
1886. E. Schuyler, Amer. Diplom., 308. Apart from the Sound dues themselves, there were charges of light-money, pass-money, etc., which caused a delay at Elsinore.
1885. Agnes M. Clerke, Pop. Hist. Astron., 199. By its means the first solar *light-pictures of real value were taken.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Y y, Cantanettes, the *light-ports in the stern of a galley.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Light-port, a scuttle made for showing a light through. Also, a port in timber ships kept open until brought deep by cargo. It is then secured and caulked in.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), *Light-room,… it is used to contain the lights by which the gunner, and his assistants, are enabled to fill the cartridges with powder.
1803. Naval Chron., XV. 59. Coppered the light room.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 805. The Light-Room Floor, the 86th course of the building.
1875. W. M‘Ilwraith, Guide to Wigtownshire, 112. The light-room at the top [of the lighthouse].
1853. Rock, Ch. of Fathers, III. II. 110. Each one according to the extent of land he had, should pay into his parish church … a certain quantity of wax under the name of *light-shot.
1884. J. Parker, Apost. Life, III. 177. *Light-struck, stunned, dazed, disabled.
1890. Anthony’s Photogr. Bull., III. 105. Five or six [plates] … were too badly light-struck to show whether they had ever been exposed in the camera or not.
1884. Athenæum, 27 Dec., 864/3. We … were doubtful whether the chamber [of the camera] was *light-tight.
1677. R. Cary, Chronol., II. I. xi. 120. A Pharos or *Light-Tower.
1834. L. Ritchie, Wand. by Seine, 39. The light-towers of the Heve.
1858. Merc. Marine Mag., V. 126. A *Light-vessel has been moored in 3 fathoms.
1888. Athenæum, 27 Oct., 558/2. The distances in *light-years of the last two stars.
1890. C. A. Young, Elem. Astron., xii. § 433. It is better, and now usual, to take as the unit of stellar distance the so-called ‘light year’; i.e. the distance light travels in a year, which is about 63,000 times the distance of the earth from the sun.
