Defn: A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal light.
Note: Light is used figuratively to denote that which resembles physical light in any respect, as illuminating, benefiting, enlightening, or enlivening mankind. Ancient lights (Law), Calcium light, Flash light, etc. See under Ancient, Calcium, etc. — Light ball (Mil.), a ball of combustible materials, used to afford light; — sometimes made so as to fired from a cannon or mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket. — Light barrel (Mil.), an empty power barrel pierced with holes and filled with shavings soaked in pitch, used to light up a ditch or a breach. —Light dues (Com.), tolls levied on ships navigating certain waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses. — Light iron, a candlestick. [Obs.] — Light keeper, a person appointed to take care of a lighthouse or light-ship. — Light money, charges laid by government on shipping entering a port, for the maintenance of lighthouses and light-ships. — The light of the countenance, favor; kindness; smiles. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Ps. iv. 6. — Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora. — To bring to light, to cause to be disclosed. — To come to light, to be disclosed. — To see the light, to come into the light; hence, to come into the world or public notice; as, his book never saw the light. — To stand in one's own light, to take a position which is injurious to one's own interest.
LIGHT
Light, a. Etym: [AS. leóht. See Light, n.] [Compar. Lighter; superl.
Lightest.]
1. Having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear; as, the apartment is light.
2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade; moderately colored; as, a light color; a light brown; a light complexion.
LIGHT
Light, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lighted or Lit (p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.]
Etym: [AS. l, lihtan, to shine. Light, n.]
1. To set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning; to ignite; to kindle; as, to light a candle or lamp; to light the gas; — sometimes with up. If a thousand candles be all lighted from one. Hakewill. And the largest lamp is lit. Macaulay. Absence might cure it, or a second mistress Light up another flame, and put out this. Addison.
2. To give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread over with light; — often with up. Ah, hopeless, lasting flames I like those that burn To light the dead. Pope. One hundred years ago, to have lit this theater as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds. F. Harrison. The sun has set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, has lighted up the sky. Dryden.
3. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of
a light.
His bishops lead him forth, and light him on. Landor.
To light a fire, to kindle the material of a fire.
LIGHT
Light, v. i.