LIENALLi*e"nal, a. Etym: [L. lien the spleen.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the spleen; splenic.
LIENCULUS Li*en"cu*lus, n.; pl. Lienculi. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. lien the spleen.] (Anat.)
Defn: One of the small nodules sometimes found in the neighborhood of the spleen; an accessory or supplementary spleen.
LIENO-INTESTINALLi*e`no-in*tes"ti*nal, a. Etym: [l. lien the spleen + E. intestinal.](Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the spleen and intestine; as, the lieno- intestinal vein of the frog.
LIENTERICLi`en*ter"ic, a. Etym: [L. lientericus, Gr. lientérique. SeeLientery.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to, or of the nature of, a lientery.— n. (Med.)
Defn: A lientery. Grew.
LIENTERYLi"en*ter*y, n. Etym: [Gr. lientérie.] (Med.)
Defn: A diarrhea, in which the food is discharged imperfectly digested, or with but little change. Dunglison.
LIERLi"er, n. Etym: [From Lie. ]
Defn: One who lies down; one who rests or remains, as in concealment.There were liers in a ambush against him. Josh. viii. 14.
LIERNE RIBLierne" rib`. Etym: [F. lierne.] (Arch.)
Defn: In Gothic vaulting, any rib which does not spring from the impost and is not a ridge rib, but passes from one boss or intersection of the principal ribs to another.
LIEULieu, n. Etym: [F., OF. also liu, leu, lou, fr. L. locus place. SeeLocal, Locus.]
Defn: Place; room; stead; — used only in the phrase in lieu of, thatis, instead of.The plan of extortion had been adopted in lieu of the scheme ofconfiscation. Burke.
LIEUTENANCYLieu*ten"an*cy, n.
1. The office, rank, or commission, of a lieutenant.
2. The body of lieutenants or subordinates. [Obs.] The list of the lieutenancy of our metropolis. Felton.
LIEUTENANT Lieu*ten"ant, n. Etym: [F., fr. lieu place + tenant holding, p. pr. of tenir to hold, L. tenere. See Lieu, and Tenant, and cf. Locum tenens.]
1. An officer who supplies the place of a superior in his absence; a representative of, or substitute for, another in the performance of any duty. The lawful magistrate, who is the vicegerent or lieutenant of God. Abp. Bramhall.
2. (a) A commissioned officer in the army, next below a captain. (b) A commissioned officer in the British navy, in rank next below a commander. (c) A commissioned officer in the United States navy, in rank next below a lieutenant commander.
Note: Lieutenant is often used, either adjectively or in hyphened compounds, to denote an officer, in rank next below another, especially when the duties of the higher officer may devolve upon the lower one; as, lieutenant general, or lieutenant-general; lieutenant colonel, or lieutenant-colonel; lieutenant governor, etc. Deputy lieutenant, the title of any one of the deputies or assistants of the lord lieutenant of a county. [Eng.] — Lieutenant colonel, an army officer next in rank above major, and below colonel. — Lieutenant commander, an officer in the United States navy, in rank next below a commander and next above a lieutenant. — Lieutenant general. See in Vocabulary. — Lieutenant governor. (a) An officer of a State, being next in rank to the governor, and in case of the death or resignation of the latter, himself acting as governor. [U. S.] (b) A deputy governor acting as the chief civil officer of one of several colonies under a governor general. [Eng.]
LIEUTENANT GENERALLieu*ten"ant gen"er*al
Defn: . An army officer in rank next below a general and next above a major general.
Note: In the United States, before the civil war, this rank had been conferred only on George Washington and (in brevet) on Winfield Scott. In 1864 it was revived by Congress and conferred on Ulysses S. Grant, and subsequently, by promotion, on William T. Sherman and Philip H. Sheridan, each of whom was advanced to the rank of general of the army. When Sheridan was made general (in 1888) the rank of lieutenant general was suffered to lapse. See General.
LIEUTENANTRYLieu*ten"ant*ry, n.
Defn: See Lieutenancy. [Obs.]
LIEUTENANTSHIPLieu*ten"ant*ship, n.
Defn: Same as Lieutenancy, 1.
LIEVELieve, a.
Defn: Same as Lief.
LIFLif, n. Etym: [Written also lief.]
Defn: The fiber by which the petioles of the date palm are bound together, from which various kinds of cordage are made.
LIFELife, n.; pl. Lives. Etym: [AS. l; akin to D. lijf body, G. leibbody, MHG. l life, body, OHG. l life, Icel. l, life, body, Sw. lif,Dan. liv, and E. live, v. Live, and cf. Alive.]
1. The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continues; that state of an animal or plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of performing all or any of their functions; — used of all animal and vegetable organisms.
2. Of human being: The union of the soul and body; also, the duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an immortal life. She shows a body rather than a life. Shak.
3. (Philos)
Defn: The potential principle, or force, by which the organs of animals and plants are started and continued in the performance of their several and coöperative functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical or spiritual.
4. Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also, the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of as resembling a natural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book; authority is the life of government.
5. A certain way or manner of living with respect to conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation, etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a good or evil life; the life of Indians, or of miners. That which before us lies in daily life. Milton. By experience of life abroad in the world. Ascham. Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime. Longfellow. 'T is from high life high characters are drawn. Pope
6. Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy. No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words. Felton. That gives thy gestures grace and life. Wordsworth.
7. That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of the company, or of the enterprise.
8. The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from, the life.
9. A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.
10. The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively. Full nature swarms with life. Thomson.
11. An essential constituent of life, esp: the blood. The words that I speak unto you . . . they are life. John vi. 63. The warm life came issuing through the wound. Pope
12. A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
13. Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.
14. Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; — used as a term of endearment.
Note: Life forms the first part of many compounds, for the most part of obvious meaning; as, life-giving, life-sustaining, etc. Life annuity, an annuity payable during one's life. — Life arrow, Life rocket, Life shot, an arrow, rocket, or shot, for carrying an attached line to a vessel in distress in order to save life. — Life assurance. See Life insurance, below. — Life buoy. See Buoy. — Life car, a water-tight boat or box, traveling on a line from a wrecked vessel to the shore. In it person are hauled through the waves and surf. — Life drop, a drop of vital blood. Byron. — Life estate (Law), an estate which is held during the term of some certain person's life, but does not pass by inheritance. — Life everlasting (Bot.), a plant with white or yellow persistent scales about the heads of the flowers, as Antennaria, and Gnaphalium; cudweed. — Life of an execution (Law), the period when an execution is in force, or before it expires. — Life guard. (Mil.) See under Guard. — Life insurance, the act or system of insuring against death; a contract by which the insurer undertakes, in consideration of the payment of a premium (usually at stated periods), to pay a stipulated sum in the event of the death of the insured or of a third person in whose life the insured has an interest. — Life interest, an estate or interest which lasts during one's life, or the life of another person, but does not pass by inheritance. — Life land (Law), land held by lease for the term of a life or lives. — Life line. (a) (Naut.) A line along any part of a vessel for the security of sailors. (b) A line attached to a life boat, or to any life saving apparatus, to be grasped by a person in the water. — Life rate, rate of premium for insuring a life. — Life rent, the rent of a life estate; rent or property to which one is entitled during one's life. — Life school, a school for artists in which they model, paint, or draw from living models. — Lifetable, a table showing the probability of life at different ages. — To lose one's life, to die. — To seek the life of, to seek to kill. — To the life, so as closely to resemble the living person or the subject; as, the portrait was drawn to the life.
LIFEBLOODLife"blood`, n.
1. The blood necessary to life; vital blood. Dryden.
2. Fig.: That which gives strength and energy. Money [is] the lifeblood of the nation. Swift.
LIFEBOATLife"boat`, n.
Defn: A strong, buoyant boat especially designed for saving the lives of shipwrecked people.
LIFEFULLife"ful, a.
Defn: Full of vitality. Spenser.
LIFE-GIVINGLife"-giv`ing, a.
Defn: Giving life or spirit; having power to give life; inspiriting; invigorating.
LIFEHOLDLife"hold`, n.
Defn: Land held by a life estate.
LIFELESSLife"less, a.
Defn: Destitute of life, or deprived of life; not containing, or inhabited by, living beings or vegetation; dead, or apparently dead; spiritless; powerless; dull; as, a lifeless carcass; lifeless matter; a lifeless desert; a lifeless wine; a lifeless story. — Life"less*ly, adv. — Life"less*ness, n.
Syn. — Dead; soulless; inanimate; torpid; inert; inactive; dull; heavy; unanimated; spiritless; frigid; pointless; vapid; flat; tasteless. — Lifeless, Dull, Inanimate, Dead. In a moral sense, lifeless denotes a want of vital energy; inanimate, a want of expression as to any feeling that may be possessed; dull implies a torpor of soul which checks all mental activity; dead supposes a destitution of feeling. A person is said to be lifeless who has lost the spirits which he once had; he is said to be inanimate when he is naturally wanting in spirits; one is dull from an original deficiency of mental power; he who is dead to moral sentiment is wholly bereft of the highest attribute of his nature.
LIFELIKELife"like`, a. Etym: [Cf. Lively.]
Defn: Like a living being; resembling life; giving an accurate representation; as, a lifelike portrait. — Life"like`ness, n. Poe.
LIFELONGLife"long, a. Etym: [Life + long. Cf. Livelong.]
Defn: Lasting or continuing through life. Tennyson.
LIFELYLife"ly, adv. Etym: [Cf. Lively, a.]
Defn: In a lifelike manner. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LIFEMATELife"mate`, n.
Defn: Companion for life. Hawthorne.
LIFENLif"en, v. t.
Defn: To enliven. [Obs.] Marston.
LIFE-PRESERVERLife"-pre*serv`er, n.
Defn: An apparatus, made in very various forms, and of variousmaterials, for saving one from drowning by buoying up the body whilein the water.— Life"-pre*serv`ing, a.
LIFE-SAVINGLife"-sav`ing, a.
Defn: That saves life, or is suited to save life, esp. from drowning; as, the life-saving service; a life-saving station.
LIFE-SIZELife"-size`, a.
Defn: Of full size; of the natural size.
LIFESOMELife"some, a.
Defn: Animated; sprightly. [Poetic] Coleridge.— Life"some*ness, n.
LIFESPRINGLife"spring`, n.
Defn: Spring or source of life.
LIFESTRINGLife"string", n.
Defn: A nerve, or string, that is imagined to be essential to life.Daniel.
LIFETIMELife"time` (, n.
Defn: The time that life continues.
LIFE-WEARYLife"-wea`ry, a.
Defn: Weary of living. Shak.
LIFLODELif"lode, n.
Defn: Livelihood. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LIFTLift, n.Etym: [AS.lyft air. See Loft.]
Defn: The sky; the atmosphere; the firmament. [Obs. or Scot.]
LIFTLift, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lifting.] Etym:[Icel. lypta, fr. lopt air; akin to Sw.lyfta to lift, Dan. löfte, G.lüften; — prop., to raise into the air. See Loft, and cf. 1st Lift.]
1. To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support or holding in the higher place; — said of material things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair or a burden.
2. To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; — often with up. The Roman virtues lift up mortal man. Addison. Lest, being lifted up with pride. I Tim. iii. 6.
3. To bear; to support. [Obs.] Spenser.
4. To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
5. Etym: [Perh. a different word, and akin to Goth. hliftus thief, hlifan to steal, L. clepere, Gr. Shoplifter.]
Defn: To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle.
Note: In old writers, lift is sometimes used for lifted.He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered. Shak.To lift up, to raise or elevate; in the Scriptures, specifically, toelevate upon the cross. John viii. 28.— To lift up the eyes. To look up; to raise the eyes, as in prayer.Ps. cxxi. 1.— To lift up the feet, to come speedily to one's relief. Ps. lxxiv.3.— To lift up the hand. (a) To take an oath. Gen. xiv. 22. (b) Topray. Ps. xxviii. 2. (c) To engage in duty. Heb. xii. 12.— To lift up the hand against, to rebel against; to assault; toattack; to injure; to oppress. Job xxxi. 21.— To lift up one's head, to cause one to be exalted or to rejoice.Gen. xl. 13. Luke xxi. 28.— To lift up the heel against, to treat with insolence orunkindness. John xiii.18.— To lift up the voice, to cry aloud; to call out. Gen. xxi. 16.
LIFTLift, v. i.
1. To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing. Strained by lifting at a weight too heavy. Locke.
2. To rise; to become or appear raised or elevated; as, the fog lifts; the land lifts to a ship approaching it.
3. Etym: [See Lift, v. t., 5.]
Defn: To live by theft. Spenser.
LIFTLift, n.
1. Act of lifting; also, that which is lifted.
2. The space or distance through which anything is lifted; as, a long lift. Bacon.
3. Help; assistance, as by lifting; as, to give one a lift in a wagon. [Colloq.] The goat gives the fox a lift. L'Estrange.
4. That by means of which a person or thing lifts or is lifted; as: (a) A hoisting machine; an elevator; a dumb waiter. (b) An exercising machine.
5. A rise; a degree of elevation; as, the lift of a lock in canals.
6. A lift gate. See Lift gate, below. [Prov. Eng.]
7. (Naut.)
Defn: A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below; — used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
8. (Mach.)
Defn: One of the steps of a cone pulley.
9. (Shoemaking)
Defn: A layer of leather in the heel.
10. (Horology)
Defn: That portion of the vibration of a balance during which theimpulse is given. Saunier. Dead lift. See under Dead. Swift.— Lift bridge, a kind of drawbridge, the movable part of which islifted, instead of being drawn aside.— Lift gate, a gate that is opened by lifting.— Lift hammer. See Tilt hammer.— Lift lock, a canal lock.— Lift pump, a lifting pump.— Lift tenter (Windmills), a governor for regulating the speed byadjusting the sails, or for adjusting the action of grindingmachinery according to the speed.— Lift wall (Canal Lock), the cross wall at the head of the lock.
LIFTABLELift"a*ble, a.
Defn: Such as can be lifted.
LIFTERLift"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, lifts.
2. (Founding)
Defn: A tool for lifting loose sand from the mold; also, a contrivance attached to a cope, to hold the sand together when the cope is lifted.
LIFTINGLift"ing, a.
Defn: Used in, or for, or by, lifting. Lifting bridge, a lift bridge. — Lifting jack. See 2d Jack, 5. — Lifting machine. See Health lift, under Health. — Lifting pump. (Mach.) (a) A kind of pump having a bucket, or valved piston, instead of a solid piston, for drawing water and lifting it to a high level. (b) A pump which lifts the water only to the top of the pump, or delivers it through a spout; a lift pump. — Lifting rod, a vertical rod lifted by a rock shaft, and imparting motion to a puppet valve; — used in the engines of river steamboats. — Lifting sail (Naut.), one which tends to lift a vessel's bow out of water, as jibs and square foresails.
LIGLig, v. i. Etym: [See Lie to be prostrate.]
Defn: To recline; to lie still. [Obs. or Scot.] Chaucer. Spenser.
LIGAMENT Lig"a*ment, n. Etym: [L. ligamentum, fr. ligare to bind; cf. f. ligament. Cf. Lien, n., Ligature.]
1. Anything that ties or unites one thing or part to another; a bandage; a bond. Hawthorne. Interwoven is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts. Washington.
2. (Anat.) (a) A tough band or plate of dense, fibrous, connective tissue or fibrocartilage serving to unite bones or form joints. (b) A band of connective tissue, or a membranous fold, which supports or retains an organ in place; as, the gastrophrenic ligament, connecting the diaphragm and stomach.
LIGAMENTAL; LIGAMENTOUSLig`a*men"tal, Lig"a*men"tous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. ligamenteux.]
Defn: Composing a ligament; of the nature of a ligament; binding; as, a strong ligamentous membrane.
LIGAN Li"gan, n.Etym: [Cf. L. ligare to bind, to tie, ligamen band, bandage, E. ligament, or ligsam.] (Law)
Defn: Goods sunk in the sea, with a buoy attached in order that they may be found again. See Jetsam and Flotsam. [Written also lagan.] Blackstone.
LIGATELi"gate, v. t. Etym: [L. ligatus, p. p. of ligare.]
Defn: To tie with a ligature; to bind around; to bandage.
LIGATIONLi*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. ligatio, fr. ligare to bind. Cf. Liaison.]
1. The act of binding, or the state of being bound.
2. That which binds; bond; connection. Tied with tape, and sealed at each fold and ligation. Sir W. Scott.
LIGATORLi*ga"tor n. Etym: [See Ligate.] (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument for ligating, or for placing and fastening a ligature.
LIGATURE Lig"a*ture, n. Etym: [L. ligatura, fr. ligare, ligatum, to bind: cf. f. ligature. Cf. Ally, League, Legatura, Liable, Legament.]
1. The act of binding.
2. Anything that binds; a band or bandage.
3. (Surg.) (a) A thread or string for tying the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage. (b) A thread or wire used to remove tumors, etc.
4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the ligature of a joint.
5. Impotence caused by magic or charms. [Obs.]
6. (Mus.)
Defn: A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
7. (Print.)
Defn: A double character, or a type consisting of two or more letters or characters united, as æ, fi, ffl.
LIGATURELig"a*ture, v. t. (Surg.)
Defn: To ligate; to tie.
LIGELig"e, v. t. & i.
Defn: To lie; to tell lies. [Obs.]
LIGEANCELi"geance, n. Etym: [OF. ligeance, ligance. See Liege.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: The connection between sovereign and subject by which they were mutually bound, the former to protection and the securing of justice, the latter to faithful service; allegiance. [Written also ligeancy and liegance.] Chaucer.
LIGEMENTLige"ment, n.
Defn: See Ledgment
LIGGELig"ge, v. i.
Defn: To lie or recline. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LIGGERLig"ger, n.
1. A baited line attached to a float, for night fishing. See Leger, a.
2. See Ledger, 2.
LIGHT Light, n. Etym: [OE.light, liht, AS. leót; akin to OS. lioht, D. & G. licht, OHG. lioht, Goth. liuhap, Icel. lj, L. lux light, lucere to shine, Gr. ruc to shine. Lucid, Lunar, Luminous, Lynx.]
1. That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous.
Note: Light was regarded formerly as consisting of material particles, or corpuscules, sent off in all directions from luminous bodies, and traversing space, in right lines, with the known velocity of about 186,300 miles per second; but it is now generally understood to consist, not in any actual transmission of particles or substance, but in the propagation of vibrations or undulations in a subtile, elastic medium, or ether, assumed to pervade all space, and to be thus set in vibratory motion by the action of luminous bodies, as the atmosphere is by sonorous bodies. This view of the nature of light is known as the undulatory or wave theory; the other, advocated by Newton (but long since abandoned), as the corpuscular, emission, or Newtonian theory. A more recent theory makes light to consist in electrical oscillations, and is known as the electro-magnetic theory of light.
2. That which furnishes, or is a source of, light, as the sun, a star, a candle, a lighthouse, etc. Then he called for a light, and sprang in. Acts xvi. 29. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Gen. i. 16.
3. The time during which the light of the sun is visible; day; especially, the dawn of day. The murderer, rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy. Job xxiv. 14.
4. The brightness of the eye or eyes. He seemed to find his way without his eyes; For out o'door he went without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me. Shak.
5. The medium through which light is admitted, as a window, or window pane; a skylight; in architecture, one of the compartments of a window made by a mullion or mullions. There were windows in three rows, and light was against light in three ranks. I Kings vii.4.
6. Life; existence. O, spring to light, auspicious Babe, be born ! Pope.
7. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light. Shak.
8. The power of perception by vision. My strength faileth me; as for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me. Ps. xxxviii. 10.
9. That which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information. He shall never know That I had any light of this from thee. Shak.
10. Prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily. Is. lviii. 8.
11. (Paint.)
Defn: The manner in which the light strikes upon a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; — opposed to shade. Cf. Chiaroscuro.
12. Appearance due to the particular facts and circumstances presented to view; point of view; as, to state things fairly and put them in the right light. Frequent consideration of a thing . . . shows it in its several lights and various ways of appearance. South.
13. One who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the lights of the age or of antiquity. Joan of Are, A light of ancient France. Tennyson.
14. (Pyrotech.)
Defn: A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal light.
Note: Light is used figuratively to denote that which resembles physical light in any respect, as illuminating, benefiting, enlightening, or enlivening mankind. Ancient lights (Law), Calcium light, Flash light, etc. See under Ancient, Calcium, etc. — Light ball (Mil.), a ball of combustible materials, used to afford light; — sometimes made so as to fired from a cannon or mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket. — Light barrel (Mil.), an empty power barrel pierced with holes and filled with shavings soaked in pitch, used to light up a ditch or a breach. —Light dues (Com.), tolls levied on ships navigating certain waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses. — Light iron, a candlestick. [Obs.] — Light keeper, a person appointed to take care of a lighthouse or light-ship. — Light money, charges laid by government on shipping entering a port, for the maintenance of lighthouses and light-ships. — The light of the countenance, favor; kindness; smiles. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Ps. iv. 6. — Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora. — To bring to light, to cause to be disclosed. — To come to light, to be disclosed. — To see the light, to come into the light; hence, to come into the world or public notice; as, his book never saw the light. — To stand in one's own light, to take a position which is injurious to one's own interest.
LIGHTLight, a. Etym: [AS. leóht. See Light, n.] [Compar. Lighter; superl.Lightest.]
1. Having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear; as, the apartment is light.
2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade; moderately colored; as, a light color; a light brown; a light complexion.
LIGHTLight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lighted or Lit (p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.]Etym: [AS. l, lihtan, to shine. Light, n.]
1. To set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning; to ignite; to kindle; as, to light a candle or lamp; to light the gas; — sometimes with up. If a thousand candles be all lighted from one. Hakewill. And the largest lamp is lit. Macaulay. Absence might cure it, or a second mistress Light up another flame, and put out this. Addison.
2. To give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread over with light; — often with up. Ah, hopeless, lasting flames I like those that burn To light the dead. Pope. One hundred years ago, to have lit this theater as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds. F. Harrison. The sun has set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, has lighted up the sky. Dryden.
3. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means ofa light.His bishops lead him forth, and light him on. Landor.To light a fire, to kindle the material of a fire.
LIGHTLight, v. i.
1. To become ignited; to take fire; as, the match will not light.
2. To be illuminated; to receive light; to brighten; — with up; as, the room light up very well.
LIGHT Light, a. [Compar. Lighted; superl. Lightest.] Etym: [OE. light, liht, AS. liht, leóht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG.lihti, Icel. l, Dan. let, Sw. lätt, Goth. leihts, and perh. to L. levis (cf. Levity), Gr. laghu light.
1. Having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to be the center of gravity with force; not heavy. These weights did not exert their natural gravity . . . insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. Addison.
2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical strength; as, a light burden, or load. Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt. xi. 29. 30.
3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a light affliction or task. Chaucer. Light sufferings give us leisure to complain. Dryden.
4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food; also, containing little nutriment.
5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse.
6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift. Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away. Bacon.
7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted; as, the ship returned light.
8. Slight; not important; as, a light error. Shak.
9. Well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread.
10. Not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light rain; a light snow; light vapors.
11. Not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind.
12. Not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light style of execution.
13. Easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind. There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion. Tillotson.
14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial. Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. Shak. Specimens of New England humor laboriously light and lamentably mirthful. Hawthorne.
15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy. Are his wits safe Is he not light of brain Shak.
16. Easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered. To a fair semblance doth light annex. Spenser.
17. Wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character. A light wife doth make a heavy husband. Shak.
18. Not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished; as, light coin.
19. Loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil. Light cavalry, Light horse (Mil.), light-armed soldiers mounted on strong and active horses. — Light eater, one who eats but little. — Light infantry, infantry soldiers selected and trained for rapid evolutions. — Light of foot. (a) Having a light step. (b) Fleet. — Light of heart, gay, cheerful. — Light oil (Chem.), the oily product, lighter than water, forming the chief part of the first distillate of coal tar, and consisting largely of benzene and toluene. — Light sails (Naut.), all the sails above the topsails, with, also, the studding sails and flying jib. Dana. — Light sleeper, one easily wakened. — Light weight, a prize fighter, boxer, wrestler, or jockey, who is below a standard medium weight. Cf. Feather weight, under Feather. [Cant] — To make light of, to treat as of little consequence; to slight; to disregard. — To set light by, to undervalue; to slight; to treat as of no importance; to despise.
LIGHTLight, adv.
Defn: Lightly; cheaply. Hooker.
LIGHTLight, v. t. Etym: [See Light not heavy, and cf. Light to alight, andLighten to make less heavy.]
Defn: To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off. [Obs.]From his head the heavy burgonet did light. Spenser.
LIGHT Light, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lighted or Lit (p. pr. & vb. n. Lighting.] Etym: [AS. lihtan to alight orig., to relieve (a horse) of the rider's burden, to make less heavy, fr. liht light. See Light not heavy, and cf. Alight, Lighten to make light.]
1. To dismount; to descend, as from a horse or carriage; to alight; - - with from, off, on, upon, at, in. When she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. Gen. xxiv. 64. Slowly rode across a withered heath, And lighted at a ruined inn. Tennyson.
2. To feel light; to be made happy. [Obs.] It made all their hearts to light. Chaucer.
3. To descend from flight, and rest, perch, or settle, as a bird orinsect.[The bee] lights on that, and this, and tasteth all. Sir. J. Davies.On the tree tops a crested peacock lit. Tennyson.
4. To come down suddenly and forcibly; to fall; — with on or upon. On me, me only, as the source and spring Of all corruption, all the blame light due. Milton.
5. To come by chance; to happen; — with on or upon; formerly with into. The several degrees of vision, which the assistance of glasses (casually at first lit on) has taught us to conceive. Locke. They shall light into atheistical company. South. And here we lit on Aunt Elizabeth, And Lilia with the rest. Tennyson.
LIGHTABLELight"a*ble, a.
Defn: Such as can be lighted.
LIGHT-ARMEDLight"-armed`, a.
Defn: Armed with light weapons or accouterments.
LIGHT-BOATLight"-boat`, n.
Defn: Light-ship.
LIGHTELight"e, obs. imp.
Defn: of Light, to alight. Chaucer.
LIGHTENLight"en, v. i. Etym: [See Light to alight.]
Defn: To descend; to light.O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. Book of Common Prayer [Eng.Ed.]
LIGHTENLight"en, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lightened; p. pr. & vb. n. Lightening.]Etym: [OE. lightenen. See Light to kindle, illuminate.]
1. To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash. This dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars As doth the lion. Shak.
2. To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
LIGHTENLight"en, v. t. Etym: [See Light to illuminate.]
1. To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets. [In this sense less common than light.] A key of fire ran all along the shore, And lightened all the river with a blaze. Dryden.
2. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.] Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray. Sir J. Davies.
3. To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning. His eye . . . lightens forth Controlling majesty. Shak.
4. To free from trouble and fill with joy. They looked unto him, were lightened. Ps. xxxiv. 5.
LIGHTENLight"en, v. t. Etym: [See Light not heavy.]
1. To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
2. To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
3. To cheer; to exhilarate. Lighens my humor with his merry jests. Shak.
LIGHTERLight"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps.
LIGHTERLight"er, n. Etym: [D. ligter, fr. ligt light. See Light not heavy.](Naut.)
Defn: A large boat or barge, mainly, used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery. Lighter screw (Mach.), a screw for adjusting the distance between the stones in a grinding mill by raising or lowering the bridgetree.
LIGHTERLight"er, v. t.
Defn: To convey by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship.
LIGHTERAGELight"er*age, n.
1. The price paid for conveyance of goods on a lighter.
2. The act of unloading into a lighter, or of conveying by a lighter.
LIGHTERMANLight"er*man, n.; pl. Lightermen (.
Defn: A person employed on, or who manages, a lighter.
LIGHT-FINGEREDLight"-fin`gered, a.
Defn: Dexterous in taking and conveying away; thievish; pilfering; addicted to petty thefts. Fuller.
LIGHT-FOOT; LIGHT-FOOTEDLight"-foot`, Light"-foot`ed, a.
Defn: Having a light, springy step; nimble in running or dancing; active; as, light-foot Iris. Tennyson.
LIGHTFULLight"ful, a.
Defn: Full of light; bright. [R.] "Lightful presence." Marston.
LIGHT-HANDEDLight"-hand`ed, a. (Naut.)
Defn: Not having a full complement of men; as, a vessel light-handed.
LIGHT-HEADEDLight"-head`ed, a.
1. Disordered in the head; dilirious. Walpole.
2. Thoughtless; heedless; volatile; unsteady; fickle; loose. "Light- headed, weak men." Clarendon. — Light"-head`ed*ness, n.
LIGHT-HEARTEDLight"-heart"ed, a.
Defn: Free from grief or anxiety; gay; cheerful; merry.— Light"-heart`ed*ly, adv.— Light"-heart"ed*ness, n.
LIGHT-HEELEDLight"-heeled`, a.
Defn: Lively in walking or running; brisk; light-footed.
LIGHT-HORSEMANLight"-horse`man, n.; pl. -men (.
1. A soldier who serves in the light horse. See under 5th Light.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A West Indian fish of the genus Ephippus, remarkable for its high dorsal fin and brilliant colors.
LIGHTHOUSELight"house` n.; pl.Lighthouses (.
Defn: A tower or other building with a powerful light at top, erected at the entrance of a port, or at some important point on a coast, to serve as a guide to mariners at night; a pharos.
LIGHTINGLight"ing, n. (Metal.)
Defn: A name sometimes applied to the process of annealing metals.
LIGHT-LEGGEDLight"-legged`, a.
Defn: Nimble; swift of foot. Sir P. Sidney.
LIGHTLESSLight"less, a.
Defn: Destitute of light; dark. Shak.
LIGHTLYLight"ly, adv.
1. With little weight; with little force; as, to tread lightly; to press lightly. Yet shall thy grave with rising flowers be drest, And the green turf lie lightly on thy breast. Pope. Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear Touched lightly. Milton.
2. Swiftly; nimbly; with agility. So mikle was that barge, it might not lightly sail. R. of Brunne. Watch what thou seest and lightly bring me word. Tennyson.
3. Without deep impression. The soft ideas of the cheerful note, Lightly received, were easily forgot. Prior.
4. In a small degree; slightly; not severely. At the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun . . . and afterward did more grievously afflict her. Is. ix. 1.
5. With little effort or difficulty; easily; readily. That lightly come, shall lightly go. Old Proverb. They come lightly by the malt, and need not spare it. Sir W. Scott.
6. Without reason, or for reasons of little weight. Flatter not the rich, neither do thou willingly or lightly appear before great personages. Jer. Taylor.
7. Commonly; usually. [Obs.] Bp. Fisher. The great thieves of a state are lightly the officers of the crown. B. Jonson.
8. Without dejection; cheerfully. "Seeming to bear it lightly." Shak.
9. Without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily. Matrimony . . . is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly. Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.].
10. Not chastely; wantonly. Swift.
LIGHTMANLight"man, n. ; pl. -men (
Defn: A man who carries or takes care of a light. T. Brown.
LIGHT-MINDEDLight"-mind`ed, a.
Defn: Unsettled; unsteady; volatile; not considerate.— Light"-mind`ed*ness, n.
LIGHTNESSLight"ness, n. Etym: [From Light not heavy.]
Defn: The state, condition, or quality, of being light or not heavy; buoyancy; levity; fickleness; delicacy; grace.
Syn. — Levity; volatility; instability; inconstancy; unsteadiness; giddiness; flightiness; airiness; gayety; liveliness; agility; nimbleness; sprightliness; briskness; swiftness; ease; facility.
LIGHTNESSLight"ness, n. Etym: [From Light bright.]
1. Illumination, or degree of illumination; as, the lightness of a room. Chaucer.
2. Absence of depth or of duskiness in color; as, the lightness of a tint; lightness of complexion.
LIGHTNINGLight"ning, n. Etym: [For lightening, fr. lighten to flash.]
1. A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The sound produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder.
2. The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers. [R.] Ball lightning, a rare form of lightning sometimes seen as a globe of fire moving from the clouds to the earth. — Chain lightning, lightning in angular, zigzag, or forked flashes. — Heat lightning, more or less vivid and extensive flashes of electric light, without thunder, seen near the horizon, esp. at the close of a hot day. — Lightning arrester (Telegraphy), a device, at the place where a wire enters a building, for preventing injury by lightning to an operator or instrument. It consists of a short circuit to the ground interrupted by a thin nonconductor over which lightning jumps. Called also lightning discharger. — Lightning bug (Zoöl.), a luminous beetle. See Firefly. — Lightning conductor, a lightning rod. — Lightning glance, a quick, penetrating glance of a brilliant eye. — Lightning rod, a metallic rod set up on a building, or on the mast of a vessel, and connected with the earth or water below, for the purpose of protecting the building or vessel from lightning. — Sheet lightning, a diffused glow of electric light flashing out from the clouds, and illumining their outlines. The appearance is sometimes due to the reflection of light from distant flashes of lightning by the nearer clouds.
LIGHTNINGLight"ning, vb. n.
Defn: Lightening. [R.]
LIGHT-O'-LOVELight"-o'-love`, n.
1. An old tune of a dance, the name of which made it a proverbial expression of levity, especially in love matters. Nares. "Best sing it to the tune of light-o'-love." Shak.
2. Hence: A light or wanton woman. Beau. & Fl.
LIGHTROOMLight"room`, n.
Defn: A small room from which the magazine of a naval vessel is lighted, being separated from the magazine by heavy glass windows.
LIGHTS lights, n. pl. Etym: [So called from their lightness.]
Defn: The lungs of an animal or bird; — sometimes coarsely applied to the lungs of a human being.
LIGHT-SHIPLight"-ship`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A vessel carrying at the masthead a brilliant light, and moored off a shoal or place of dangerous navigation as a guide for mariners.
LIGHTSOMELight"some, a.
1. Having light; lighted; not dark or gloomy; bright. White walls make rooms more lightsome than black. Bacon.
2. Gay; airy; cheering; exhilarating. That lightsome affection of joy. Hooker. — Light"some*ly, adv. — Light"some*ness, n. Happiness may walk soberly in dark attire, as well as dance lightsomely in a gala dress. Hawthorne.
LIGHTSTRUCKLight"*struck`, a. (Photog.)
Defn: Damaged by accidental exposure to light; light-fogged; — said of plates or films.
LIGHTWEIGHT Light"weight`, n. One of less than average weight; specif.: (a) In boxing, wrestling, etc., one weighingnot more than 133 pounds (U. S. amateur rules 135 pounds, Eng. 140 pounds). (b) A person of small impotance or mental ability. [Colloq., Chiefly U. S.]
LIGHTWEIGHTLight"weight`, a.
Defn: Light in weight, as a coin; specif., applied to a man or animal who is a lightweight.
LIGHT-WINGEDLight"-winged`, a.
Defn: Having light and active wings; volatile; fleeting. Shak.
LIGHTWOODLight"wood`, n.
Defn: Pine wood abounding in pitch, used for torches in the Southern United States; pine knots, dry sticks, and the like, for kindling a fire quickly or making a blaze.
LIGHTYLight"y, a.
Defn: Illuminated. [Obs.] Wyclif.
LIGHT YEARLight year. (Astron.)
Defn: The distance over which light can travel in a year's time; — used as a unit in expressing stellar distances. It is more than 63,000 times as great as the distance from the earth to the sun.
LIGN-ALOES Lign`-al"oes, n. Etym: [OE. ligne aloes, fr. L. lignum wood + aloe aloe.]
1. Aloes wood, or agallochum. See Agallochum.
2. A fragrant tree mentioned in the Bible. Num. xxiv. 6.
LIGNEOUSLig"ne*ous, a. Etym: [L. ligneus, fr. lignum wood. Cf. Lignous.]
Defn: Made of wood; consisting of wood; of the nature of, orresembling, wood; woody.It should be tried with shoots of vines and roots of red roses; forit may be they, being of a moreligneous nature, will incorporate withthe tree itself. Bacon.Ligneous marble, wood coated or prepared so as to resemble marble.
LIGNIFEROUS Lig*nif`er*ous, a. Etym: [L. lignifer; lignum wood + ferre to bear: cf. F. lignifère.]
Defn: Yielding or producing wood.
LIGNIFICATIONLig`ni*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. lignification. See Lignify.](Bot.)
Defn: A change in the character of a cell wall, by which it becomes harder. It is supposed to be due to an incrustation of lignin.
LIGNIFORMLig"ni*form, a. Etym: [L. lignum wood + -form: cf. F. ligniforme.]
Defn: Like wood.
LIGNIFYLig"ni*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lignified; p. pr. & vb. n.Lignifying.] Etym: [L. lignum wood + -fy: cf. F. lignifier.] (Bot.)
Defn: To convert into wood or into a ligneous substance.
LIGNIFYLig"ni*fy, v. i. (Bot.)
Defn: To become wood.
LIGNINLig"nin, n. Etym: [L. lignum wood: cf. F. lignine.] (Bot.)
Defn: A substance characterizing wood cells and differing from cellulose in its conduct with certain chemical reagents.
Note: Recent authors have distinguished four forms of this substance, naming them lignose, lignin, lignone, and lignireose.
LIGNIPERDOUSLig`ni*per"dous, a. Etym: [L. lignum wood + perdere to destroy: cf.F. ligniperde.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Wood-destroying; — said of certain insects.
LIGNIREOSELig*nir"e*ose`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Lignin.
LIGNITELig"nite, n. Etym: [L. lignum wood: cf. F. lignite.] (Min.)
Defn: Mineral coal retaining the texture of the wood from which it was formed, and burning with an empyreumatic odor. It is of more recent origin than the anthracite and bituminous coal of the proper coal series. Called also brown coal, wood coal.
LIGNITICLig*nit"ic, a.
Defn: Containing lignite; resembling, or of the nature of, lignite; as, lignitic clay. Lignitic group. See Laramie group.
LIGNITIFEROUSLig`ni*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Lignite + -ferous.]
Defn: Producing or containing lignite; lignitic.
LIGNOCERICLig`no*cer"ic, a. Etym: [L. lignum wood + cera wax.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the formic acid series, found in the tar, wax, or paraffine obtained by distilling certain kinds of wood, as the beech.
LIGNONELig"none`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Lignin.
LIGNOSE; LIGNOUS Lig*nose`, Lig"nous, a. Etym: [L. lignosus, fr. lignum wood: cf. F. ligneux. Cf. Ligneous.]
Defn: Ligneous. [R.] Evelyn.
LIGNOSELig"nose`, n.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: See Lignin.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: An explosive compound of wood fiber and nitroglycerin. SeeNitroglycerin.
LIGNUM RHODIUMLig"num rho"di*um. Etym: [NL., fr. L. lignum wood + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The fragrant wood of several shrubs and trees, especially of species of Rhodorhiza from the Canary Islands, and of the West Indian Amyris balsamifera.
LIGNUM-VITAE Lig"num-vi"tae, n. Etym: [L., wood of life; lignum wood + vita, genitive vitæ, life.] (Bot.)
Defn: A tree (Guaiacum officinale) found in the warm latitudes of America, from which the guaiacum of medicine is procured. Its wood is very hard and heavy, and is used for various mechanical purposes, as for the wheels of ships' blocks, cogs, bearings, and the like. See Guaiacum.
Note: In New Zealand the Metrosideros buxifolia is called lignum- vitæ, and in Australia a species of Acacia. The bastard lignum-vitæ is a West Indian tree (Sarcomphalus laurinus).
LIGROINLig"ro*in, n.
Defn: A trade name applied somewhat indefinitely to some of the volatile products obtained in refining crude petroleum. It is a complex and variable mixture of several hydrocarbons, generally boils below 170º Fahr., and is more inflammable than safe kerosene. It is used as a solvent, as a carburetant for air gas, and for illumination in special lamps.
LIGSAMLig"sam, n. Etym: [Cf. D. liggen to lie, E. lie to be prostrate, andE. flotsam, jetsam, or ligan.]
Defn: Same as Ligan. Brande & C.
LIGULALig"u*la, n.; pl. L. Ligulæ, E. Ligulas. Etym: [L., a little tongue.See Ligule.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: See Ligule.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The central process, or front edge, of the labium of insects. It sometimes serves as a tongue or proboscis, as in bees. [See Illust. under Labium, and Hymenoptera.] (b) A tongue-shaped lobe of the parapodia of annelids. See Parapodium.
LIGULATE; LIGULATED Lig"u*late, Lig"u*la`ted, a. Etym: [Cf. F. ligulé. See Ligule, and cf. Lingulate.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Like a bandage, or strap; strap-shaped.
2. Composed of ligules. Ligulate flower, a species of compound flower, the florets of which have their corollets flat, spreading out toward the end, with the base only tubular.
LIGULE Lig"ule, n. Etym: [L.ligula, little tongue, dim of lingua tongue : cf. F. ligule.]
1. (Bot.) (a) The thin and scarious projection from the upper end of the sheath of leaf of grass. (b) A strap-shaped corolla of flowers of Compositæ.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: A band of white matter in the wall of fourth ventricle of the brain.
LIGULIFLOROUSLig`u*li*flo"rous, a. Etym: [Ligule + L. flos, floris, a flower.](Bot.)
Defn: Bearing only ligulate flowers; — said of a large suborder of composite plants, such as the dandelion, hawkweed, etc.
LIGURELig"ure, n. Etym: [L. ligurius, Gr. leshem.]
Defn: A kind of precious stone.The third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. Ex. xxviii. 19.
LIGUSTRINLi*gus"trin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A bitter principle found in the bark of the privet (Ligustrum vulgare), and extracted as a white crystalline substance with a warm, bitter taste; — called also ligustron.
LIKABLELik"a*ble, a.
Defn: Such as can be liked; such as to attract liking; as, a likable person. Thackeray.
LIKE Like, a. [Compar. Liker; superl. Likest.] Etym: [OE. lik, ilik, gelic, AS. gelic, fr. pref. ge- + lic body, and orig. meaning, having the same body, shape, or appearance, and hence, like; akin to OS. gilik, D. gelijk, G. gleich, OHG. gilih, Icel. likr, glikr, Dan. lig, Sw. lik, Goth. galeiks, OS. lik body, D. lijk, G. leiche, Icel. lik, Sw. lik, Goth. leik. The English adverbial ending-ly is from the same adjective. Cf. Each, Such, Which.]
1. Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; — often with in and the particulars of the resemblance; as, they are like each other in features, complexion, and many traits of character. 'The as like you As cherry is to cherry. Shak. Like master, like man. Old Prov. He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. Ps. cxlvii. 16.
Note: To, which formerly often followed like, is now usually omitted.
2. Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent. More clergymen were impoverished by the late war than ever in the like space before. Sprat.
3. Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely. [Likely is more used now.] Shak. But it is like the jolly world about us will scoff at the paradox of these practices. South. Many were not easy to be governed, nor like to conform themselves to strict rules. Clarendon.
4. Inclined toward; disposed to; as, to feel like taking a walk. Had like (followed by the infinitive), had nearly; came little short of. Had like to have been my utter overthrow. Sir W. Raleigh Ramona had like to have said the literal truth, . . . but recollected herself in time. Mrs. H. H. Jackson. Like figures (Geom.), similar figures.
Note: Like is used as a suffix, converting nouns into adjectives expressing resemblance to the noun; as, manlike, like a man; childlike, like a child; godlike, like a god, etc. Such compounds are readily formed whenever convenient, and several, as crescentlike, serpentlike, hairlike, etc., are used in this book, although, in some cases, not entered in the vocabulary. Such combinations as bell-like, ball-like, etc., are hyphened.
LIKELike, n.
1. That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy. He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. Shak.
2. A liking; a preference; inclination; — usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.
LIKELike, adv. Etym: [AS. gelice. See Like, a.]
1. In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him. He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. Job xii. 25.
Note: Like, as here used, is regarded by some grammarians as a preposition.
2. In a like or similar manner. Shak. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Ps. ciii. 13.
3. Likely; probably. "Like enough it will." Shak.
LIKE Like, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Liked; p. pr. & vb. n. Liking.] Etym: [OE. liken to please, AS. lician, gelician, fr.gelic. See Like, a.]
1. To suit; to please; to be agreeable to. [Obs.] Cornwall him liked best, therefore he chose there. R. of Gloucester. I willingly confess that it likes me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature. Sir P. Sidney.
2. To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy. He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving. Sir P. Sidney.
3. To liken; to compare.[Obs.] Like me to the peasant boys of France. Shak.
LIKELike, v. i.
1. To be pleased; to choose. He may either go or stay, as he best likes. Locke.
2. To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition). [Obs.] You like well, and bear your years very well. Shak.
3. To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly; as, he liked to have been too late. Cf. Had like, under Like, a. [Colloq.] He probably got his death, as he liked to have done two years ago, by viewing the troops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden. Walpole. To like of, to be pleased with. [Obs.] Massinger.
LIKEABLELike"a*ble (lik"a*b'l), a.
Defn: See Likable.
LIKEHOODLike"hood, n.
Defn: Likelihood. [Obs.] South.
LIKELIHOODLike"li*hood, n. Etym: [Likely + -hood.]
1. Appearance; show; sign; expression. [Obs.] What of his heart perceive you in his face By any likelihood he showed to-day Shak.
2. Likeness; resemblance. [Obs.] There is no likelihood between pure light and black darkness, or between righteousness and reprobation. Sir W. Raleigh.
3. Appearance of truth or reality; probability; verisimilitude. Tennyson.
LIKELINESSLike"li*ness, n.
1. Likelihood; probability.
2. Suitableness; agreeableness. [Obs.]
LIKELY Like"ly, a. [Compar. Likelier; superl. Likeliest.] Etym: [That is, like-like. See Like, a.]
1. Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story. It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and conspicuous. Johnson.
2. Having probability; having or giving reason to expect; — followed by the infinitive; as, it is likely to rain.
3. Similar; like; alike. [Obs.] Spenser.
4. Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome. Shak. Milton.