Two Different Words Are Spelled Light
Light means illumination, and separately not heavy. They are unrelated words that happen to have converged in spelling.
Light means illumination, and also not heavy. These are two separate words that arrived at the same spelling: the illumination sense is Old English *leoht*, from a root meaning to shine, while the weight sense is Old English *leoht* from a different root meaning easy or nimble — the same one behind *lung*, an organ light enough to float. A third verb, to *light* upon something, meaning to come across it, is from the weight word, through the idea of alighting.
- Illumination. *Turn on the light.*
- Not heavy. *A light bag.*
- To ignite. *Light the fire.*
- To alight. *A bird lit on the branch.*
- Lung — related to the weight word. *The lungs.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | light | Bright light. |
| Adjective | light | A light coat. |
| Verb | light | Light it. |
| Past | lit | He lit it. |
| Past | lighted | Also correct. |
- The light came through the window.Illumination.
- The parcel is surprisingly light.Weight.
- Lungs are named for being light.Etymology.
Light phrases
- In the light of — considering, British; in light of — American
- Make light of — treat as unimportant
- Come to light — become known
- See the light — understand at last
- Light years — a distance, not a time
Two Old English words: *leoht*, brightness, from a root meaning to shine, and *leoht*, not heavy, from a root meaning easy.
Are the two lights the same word?
No. They come from different Indo-European roots and converged by accident into one spelling.
Is a light year a measure of time?
No. It is the distance light travels in a year, about 9.46 trillion kilometres.