English

Verb

alight ‎(third-person singular simple present alights, present participle alighting, simple past and past participle alighted)

1. (transitive) To make light or less heavy; lighten; alleviate.

Etymology 2

From Middle English alighten, from Old English ālīhtan ‎(“to alight, dismount”), from prefix ā- (compare with Gothic us-, German er-, originally meaning "out") + līhtan ‎(“to alight”), and Old English ġelīhtan ‎(“to alight, approach, come, come down, dismount”), equivalent to a- +‎ light ‎(“to dismount”).

Verb

alight ‎(third-person singular simple present alights, present participle alighting, simple past and past participle alighted or alit)

1. (intransitive, with from) To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount.

   Passengers are alighting from the carriage

2. (intransitive, with on) To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop.

   A flying bird alights on a tree

   Snow alights on a roof.

3. (intransitive) To come or chance (upon).

Synonyms

• unlight

Translations

Etymology 3

From Middle English alighten, from Old English ālīhtan ‎(“to light up, enlighten”), equivalent to a- +‎ light. Cognate with German erleuchten ‎(“to light up, illuminate”).

Verb

alight ‎(third-person singular simple present alights, present participle alighting, simple past and past participle alit or alighted)

1. (transitive) To light; light up; illuminate.
2. (transitive) To set light to; light.

Etymology 4

From Middle English alight, from Old English *ālīhted, past participle of ālīhtan ‎(“to alight”). See above.

Alternative forms

• alighted

Adjective

alight ‎(not comparable)

1. Lit, on fire, switched on.

   The sticks were damp and wouldn't catch alight.

2. (figuratively) Lit; on fire, burning.

   Her face was alight with happiness.

Usage notes

Used only as a predicative.

Translations