Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIGHT, n. [lite; Sax. leoht, liht; D. and G. licht; L. lux, light, and luceo, to shine; Port. and Sp. luz, light; W. llug, tending to break out or open, or to shoot, to gleam, and as a noun, a breaking out in blotches, a gleam, indistinct light; llwg, that is apt to break out, that is bright, a tumor, an eruption; llygu, to make bright, to clear, to break out, to appear in spots; lluç, a darting, sudden throw, glance, flash; lluçiaw, to throw, to fling, to pelt; lluçed, a gleam, lightning. This word furnishes a full and distinct explanation of the original sense of light, to throw, dart, shoot, or break forth; and it accords with Eng. luck, both in elements and radical sense. Class Lg, No. 6, 7, 23, 24.]

1. That ethereal agent or matter which makes objects perceptible to the sense of seeing, but the particles of which are separately invisible. It has been believed that light is a fluid or real matter, existing independent of the substances, with properties peculiar to itself. Its velocity is astonishing, as it passes through a space of nearly twelve millions of miles in a minute. Light, when decomposed is found to consist of rays differently colored; as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The sun is the principal source of light in the solar system; but light is also emitted from bodies ignited, or in combustion, and is reflected from enlightened bodies, as the moon. Light also emitted from certain putrefying substances. It is usually united with heat, but it exists also independent of it. – Hooper. Nicholson. Encyc.
2. That flood of luminous rays which flows from the sun and constitutes day. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. – Gen. i.
3. Day; the dawn of day. The murderer rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy. – Job xxiv.
4. Life. O, spring to light, auspicious babe, be born! – Pope.
5. Any thing that gives light; as a lamp, candle, taper, lighted tower, star, &c. Then he called for a light, and sprang in. – Acts xvi. I have set thee to be light to the Gentiles. – Acts xiii. And God made two great lights. – Gen. i.
6. The illuminated part of a picture; the part which lies open to the luminary by which the piece is supposed to be enlightened, and painted in vivid colors; opposed to shade.
7. Illumination of mind; instruction; knowledge. I opened Ariosto in Italian, and the very first two lines gave me light to all I could desire. – Dryden. Light, understanding and wisdom … was found in him. – Dan. v.
8. Means of knowing. By using such lights as we have, we may arrive at probability, if not at certainty.
9. Open view; a visible state; a state of being seen by the eye, or perceived, understood or known. Further researches will doubtless bring to light properties of matter yet unknown.
10. Public view or notice. Why am I ask'd what next shall see the light? – Pope.
11. Explanation; illustration; means of understanding. One part of Scripture throws light on another.
12. Point of view; situation to be seen or viewed; a use of the word taken from painting. It is useful to exhibit a subject in a variety of lights. Let every thought he presented in a strong light. In whatever light we view this event, it must be considered an evil.
13. A window; a place that admits light to enter. – 1 Kings vii.
14. A pane of glass; as, a window with twelve lights.
15. In Scripture, God, the source of knowledge. God, is light. – 1 John i.
16. Christ. That was the true light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. – John i.
17. Joy; comfort; felicity. Light is sowed for the righteous. – Ps. xcvii.
18. Saving knowledge. It is because there is no light in them. – Isa. viii.
19. Prosperity; happiness. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning. – Isa. lviii.
20. Support; comfort; deliverance. – Mic. vii.
21. The Gospel. – Matth. iv.
22. The understanding or judgment. – Matth. vi.
23. The gifts and graces of Christians. Matth. v.
24. A moral instructor, as John the Baptist. – John v.
25. A true christian, a person enlightened. – Eph. v.
26. A good king, the guide of his people. – Sam. xxi. The light of the countenance, favor; smiles. – Ps. iv. To stand on one's own light, to be the means of preventing good, or frustrating one's own purposes. To come to light, to be detected; to be discovered or found.