light

For the verb: "to light"

Simple Past:	lit, lighted
Past Participle:	lit, lighted

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
light1

▶noun

• 1 the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible; electromagnetic radiation from about 390 to 740 nm in wavelength.

  ■ a source of illumination.

  ■ (lights) traffic lights.

  ■ Law the light falling on windows, the obstruction of which by a neighbour is illegal.

• 2 an expression in someone's eyes.

  ■ understanding; enlightenment: light dawned in her eyes.

  ■ (lights) a person's opinions, standards, and abilities.

• 3 an area that is brighter or paler than its surroundings.

• 4 a device producing a flame or spark.

• 5 a window or opening to let light in.

  ■ a perpendicular division of a mullioned window.

  ■ a pane of glass in a greenhouse or cold frame.

• 6 a person eminent in a particular sphere.

▶verb (past lit; past part. lit or lighted)

• 1 provide with light.

  ■ (light up) become illuminated.

  ■ (light up) (of the face or eyes) suddenly display liveliness or joy.

• 2 ignite or be ignited.

  ■ (light something up) ignite a cigarette, cigar, or pipe and begin to smoke it.

▶adjective

• 1 having a considerable or sufficient amount of light.

• 2 (of a colour) pale.

– phrases
bring (or come) to light make (or become) widely known or evident.
go out like a light informal fall asleep or lose consciousness suddenly.
in a —— light in the way specified: the audit portrayed them in a favourable light.
in (the) light of taking (something) into consideration.
light at the end of the tunnel an indication that a period of difficulty is ending.
the light of day general public attention.
the light of someone's life a much loved person.
see the light understand or realize something.

■ undergo religious conversion.

see the light of day be born.

■ come into existence.

throw (or cast or shed) light on help to explain by providing further information.

– derivatives
lightish adjective,
lightless adjective,
lightness noun.

– origin OE lēoht, līht (n. and adj.), līhtan (v.), of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
light2

▶adjective

• 1 of little weight.

  ■ deficient in weight.

  ■ carrying or suitable for small loads.

  ■ carrying only light armaments.

  ■ (of a vehicle, ship, etc.) unladen or with less than a full load.

  ■ (of soil) friable, porous, and workable.

• 2 not strongly or heavily built.

• 3 relatively low in density, amount, or intensity: light autumn rains.

  ■ (of food or a meal) small in quantity and easy to digest.

  ■ low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, or alcohol.

• 4 gentle or delicate.

  ■ (of type) having thin strokes.

• 5 not profound or serious.

  ■ free from worry: I left with a light heart.

  ■ easily borne or done: some light housework.

• 6 (of sleep or a sleeper) easily disturbed.

• 7 Physics containing atoms of an isotope of relatively low mass.

• 8 archaic (of a woman) promiscuous.

– phrases
be light on be rather short of.
make light of treat as unimportant.
make light work of accomplish quickly and easily.
travel light travel with little luggage.

– derivatives
lightish adjective,
lightly adverb,
lightness noun.

– origin OE lēocht, līht (n.), lēohte (adv.), of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
light3

▶verb (past and past part. lit or lighted)

• 1 (light on/upon) come upon or discover by chance.

• 2 archaic descend.

  ■ (light on) fall or land on.

• 3 (light into) N. Amer. informal criticize severely; attack.

• 4 (light out) N. Amer. informal depart hurriedly.

– origin OE līhtan, from light2; cf. alight1.