(līt) noun
1. Physics a That form of radiant energy that stimulates the organs of sight, having wavelengths ranging from about 3900 to 7700 angstrom units and propagated at a speed of about 186,300 miles a second. b Ultraviolet or infrared light. Also called luminous energy.
2. The natural condition or medium that permits vision; luminosity: opposed to darkness.
3. The sensation produced by exciting the organs of vision, as the eye, optical nerves, and visual centers of the brain.
4. Mental or spiritual illumination.
5. A source of light, as the sun, moon, a flame, lamp, beacon, etc.; also, an emission of light.
6. That which admits light; a window or pane.
7. The state of being visible, known, or exposed: to come to light.
8. Daytime; daylight; dawn.
9. The point of view from which, or circumstances in which, a thing is seen or considered; aspect.
10. A part of a picture representing an illuminated object.
11. The power of vision; perception by eyesight.
12. Something with which to enkindle or make a blaze or light: a light for a pipe.
13. One who is noteworthy or eminent; a model.
—accidental light In art, light coming from some other source than that of the chief light; a cross light.
—in the light of In view of; considering.
—pick–up light An anti–aircraft searchlight working alone or in coordination with a locator system to spot aircraft targets.
—adjective
1. Full of light; not dark; bright.
2. Of a faint or pale color.
—v. light·ed or lit, light·ing v.t.
1. To set burning, as wood, a lamp, etc.; ignite; kindle, as a fire.
2. To make light; illuminate.
3. To brighten or animate.
4. To guide or conduct with light: The fires lighted him home.
—v.i.
5. To take fire; start burning.
6. To become bright or luminous: usually with up. [OE lēoht]
—light′er noun
—light′less adjective♦ lighted, lit
Either form is acceptable as the past tense and past participle of light, but lighted is probably more common as the past participle and is the usual form for the attributive adjective: The moon lighted (or lit) my path; I have already lighted (or lit) the oven; a lighted cigarette. In figurative use, the more common form is lit: Her face was lit with joy. Synonyms (noun): blaze, flame, flare, flash, flicker, glare, gleam, glimmer, glisten, glistening, glitter, glow, illumination, incandescence, scintillation, sheen, shimmer, shine, shining, sparkle, twinkle, twinkling. A flame is both hot and luminous; if it contains few solid particles it will yield little light, but it may afford intense heat, as in the case of a hydrogen flame. A blaze is an extensive, brilliant flame. Light is the general term for any luminous effect discernible by the eye, from the faintest phosphorescence to the blaze of the sun. A flare is a wavering flame or blaze, a flash is a light that appears and disappears in an instant. The glare and glow are steady, the glare painfully bright, the glow subdued. Shine and shining refer to a steady or continuous emission of light; sheen is faint shining, usually by reflection. Glimmer, glitter, and shimmer denote wavering light. A gleam is not wavering, but transient or intermittent; a glitter is a hard light: the glitter of burnished arms. A sparkle is a sudden light, as of sparks thrown out; scintillation is the more exact and scientific term for the actual emission of sparks, also the figurative term for what suggests such emission: scintillations of wit or of genius. Illumination is wide–spread, brilliant light, as when all the windows of a house are lighted. The light of incandescence is intense and white like that from metal at a white heat. See KNOWLEDGE. Antonyms: blackness, dark, darkness, dimness, dusk, gloom, gloominess, obscurity, shade, shadow.

(līt) adjective
1. Having little weight; of small weight by comparison; not heavy: light as air.
2. Easy to carry, handle, move, etc.; not taxing to the muscles or digestive organs; not burdensome: a light task; light food.
3. Free from that which encumbers; not heavily loaded: light troops.
4. Of no great consequence; lacking gravity; trivial.
5. Lacking in intensity or effect; moderate.
6. Free from anxiety, trouble or distress; cheerful.
7. Not in full possession of the senses; flighty; delirious: light in the head.
8. Below the proper or usual weight: light coin.
9. Well–leavened and raised; not soggy: light bread.
10. Loose or sandy: a light soil.
11. Characterized by levity; without dignity or substantial character; also, loose in morals.
12. Handling or touching with slight force; hence, easy; graceful; active; nimble: a light touch; a light style.
13. Suitable for easy work.
14. Free from clumsiness or heaviness in appearance or construction: light tracery.
15. Having no metrical stress: said of a syllable or vowel.
16. In Sanskrit grammar, having a short vowel: said of a syllable.
17. Meteorol. Designating air (No. l) or a breeze (No. 2) on the Beaufort scale.
—to make light of To treat or consider as trifling.
—v.i. light·ed or lit, light·ing
1. To descend and settle down after flight, as a bird; land.
2. To happen or come, as by chance or accident: with on or upon.
3. To get down, as from a horse or carriage; dismount.
4. To fall; strike, as a blow.
—to light into Slang
1. To attack; assail.
2. To scold; castigate.
—to light out U.S. Slang To depart in haste.
—adverb Lightly; cheaply; easily. [OE lēoht, līht]
—light′ly adverb