lighter
nounnounverbadjectiveadjectivecommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈlaɪtə//
- United States//ˈlaɪtɚ//
- United States/[ˈlaɪɾɚ]/
A person who lights things.
noun
- 1
A person who lights things.
a lighter of lamps
- 2
A device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.
Cigarette in mouth, he clutched his pockets in search of a lighter.
Etymology
From light (“to ignite”) + -er. Cognate with Middle Dutch lichtere, lichter (“one who spreads light, illuminator”), Dutch lichter, luchter (“candle-holder, chandelier”). Compare also Middle English lightnere, liȝtnere (“one who enlightens or illuminates”).
noun
- 1
A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats).
It is, of course, possible to work only to or from lighters in this way, and such working is not very general in this country, although a certain amount of such overside work is carried on in enclosed docks.
Etymology
From Middle English lightere, lyghtere, equivalent to light (“to unload, lighten”) + -er. Compare West Frisian lichter (“lighter ship”), Dutch lichter (“lighter ship”), Middle Low German lichter, lüchter, lüchtære (“a small ship that lightens a load, lighter ship”).
verb
- 1
To transfer (cargo or passengers) to or from a ship by means of a lighter or other small vessel.
1900. Report of the Commission Appointed by the President to Investigate the Conduct of the War Department in the War with Spain. Vol. 7, pg. 3227. Troops and stores were lightered to the wharves inside the harbor by steamers Orizaba and Berkshire.
Beyond the station an extension descends at 1 in 30, the steepest gradient on the line, to Government Wharf, where cargo is lightered to and from ships at anchor in the harbour.
- 2
To transfer cargo or fuel from (a ship), lightening it to make its draft less or to make it easier to refloat.
adjective
- 1
Also a form of lightcomparative form of light: more light
I prefer a lighter shade of pink.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *lewk-der. Proto-Indo-European *lewk-to-s Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz Proto-West Germanic *leuht Old English lēoht Middle English light English light English -er English lighter From light (“pale”) + -er (“comparative”).
adjective
- 1
Also a form of lightcomparative form of light: more light
What happened? You look 10 lbs. lighter!
I wish I'd thrown a lighter punch; he's out cold.
The way the glare from our engine firehole pulsated, reflecting continuously in the steam, combined with our achievement in keeping level with the lighter train until our metals parted at Wilton, provided another lasting memory.
It is lighter to handle and more manoeuvrable, and its three caged sides with web straps on the fourth prevent movement of the contents.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *lewk-der. Proto-Indo-European *lewk-to-s Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz Proto-West Germanic *leuht Old English lēoht Middle English light English light English -er English lighter From light (“not heavy, weak”) + -er (“comparative”).
Forms
- plural
- lighters
- past tense
- lightered
- past participle
- lightered
- present participle
- lightering
- third person singular
- lighters