different between small vs light

small

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK)
    • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /sm??l/
    • Rhymes: -??l
  • (US)
    • (General American) IPA(key): /sm?l/
    • (cotcaught merger) IPA(key): /sm?l/
  • (Canada) IPA(key): /sm?l/
  • (General Australian, General New Zealand) IPA(key): /smo?l/

Etymology

From Middle English smal, from Old English smæl (small, narrow, slender), from Proto-Germanic *smalaz (small), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mal-, *(s)mel- (small, mean, malicious). Cognate with Scots smal; sma (small); West Frisian smel (narrow); Dutch smal (narrow); German schmal (narrow, small); Danish, Norwegian, Swedish smal (narrow; thin; slender); Latin malus (bad); Russian ?????? (mályj, small).

Adjective

small (comparative smaller, superlative smallest)

  1. Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
  2. (figuratively) Young, as a child.
  3. (writing, incomparable) Minuscule or lowercase, referring to written or printed letters.
  4. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; paltry; mean.
    • 1851, Thomas Carlyle, The Life of John Sterling
      A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
  5. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short.
  6. (archaic) Slender, gracefully slim.

Synonyms

  • (not large or big): little, microscopic, minuscule, minute, tiny; see also Thesaurus:tiny
  • (young, as a child): little, wee (Scottish), young
  • (of written letters): lowercase, minuscule

Antonyms

  • See also Thesaurus:large
  • (not large or big): capital, big, generous (said of an amount of something given), large
  • (young, as a child): adult, grown-up, old
  • (of written letters): big, capital, majuscule, uppercase

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

small (comparative smaller, superlative smallest)

  1. In a small fashion. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
  2. In or into small pieces.
    • 2009, Ingrid Hoffman, CBS Early Morning for September 28, 2009 (transcription)
      That's going to go in there. We've got some chives small chopped as well.
  3. (obsolete) To a small extent.
  4. (obsolete) In a low tone; softly.

Derived terms

  • writ small

Noun

small (plural smalls)

  1. (rare) Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.

Derived terms

  • small of the back

Verb

small (third-person singular simple present smalls, present participle smalling, simple past and past participle smalled)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To make little or less.
  2. (intransitive) To become small; to dwindle.
    • 1917, Thomas Hardy, The Clock of the Years
      And smalled till she was nought at all.

Anagrams

  • malls

Icelandic

Verb

small (strong)

  1. first-person singular past indicative of smella
  2. third-person singular past indicative of smella

Low German

Etymology

From Middle Low German smal, from Old Saxon smal, from Proto-Germanic *smalaz. Cognate with German schmal, Dutch smal, English small.

Adjective

small (comparative smaller, superlative smallst)

  1. narrow
  2. small, slender

Declension


Middle English

Adjective

small

  1. Alternative form of smal

Norwegian Bokmål

Verb

small

  1. (non-standard since 2005) past tense of smelle

Norwegian Nynorsk

Verb

small

  1. past tense of smella

Swedish

Verb

small

  1. past tense of smälla.

Anagrams

  • malls

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light

English

Alternative forms

  • lite (informal or archaic); lighte, lyght, lyghte (obsolete)
  • licht (Scotland)

Pronunciation

  • enPR: l?t, IPA(key): /la?t/
  • (General American) IPA(key): [?????]
  • (Canada, regional US) IPA(key): /l??t/
  • Rhymes: -a?t
  • Homophone: lite
  • Hyphenation: light

Etymology 1

From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English l?oht, from Proto-Germanic *leuht?, from Proto-Indo-European *lewktom, from the root *lewk- (light). Cognate with Scots licht (light), West Frisian ljocht (light), Dutch licht (light), Low German licht (light), German Licht (light). Related also to Swedish ljus (light), Icelandic ljós (light), Latin l?x (light), Russian ??? (lu?, beam of light), Armenian ????? (luys, light), Ancient Greek ?????? (leukós, white), and Persian ????? (roxš).

Noun

light (countable and uncountable, plural lights)

  1. (physics, uncountable) Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.
    • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
      When the studio light is on, I am recording my evening show.
  2. A source of illumination.
  3. Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.
  4. (in the plural, now rare) Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.
    • , Book I, New York 2001, page 166:
      Now these notions are twofold, actions or habits […], which are durable lights and notions, which we may use when we will.
  5. A notable person within a specific field or discipline.
    • ?, Alfred Tennyson, A Dream of Fair Women
      Joan of Arc, a light of ancient France
  6. (painting) The manner in which the light strikes 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.
  7. A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.
    • , "Why Christ's Doctrine was Rejected by the Jews"
      Frequent consideration of a thing [] shows it in its several lights and various ways of appearance.
    • Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of, it was that they did not want Jones back. When it was put to them in this light, they had no more to say.
  8. A flame or something used to create fire.
  9. A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.
    a Bengal light
  10. A window, or space for a window in architecture.
  11. The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.
  12. (informal) A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.
  13. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.
  14. The power of perception by vision.
  15. The brightness of the eye or eyes.
  16. A traffic light, or, by extension, an intersection controlled by one or more that will face a traveler who is receiving instructions.
Synonyms
  • (electromagnetic wave perceived by the eye): visible light
  • See also Thesaurus:light source
Hypernyms
  • (physics): electromagnetic radiation
Hyponyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Descendants
  • ? Gulf Arabic: ???? (l?t)
  • ? Farefare: laat?
  • Sranan Tongo: leti
Translations

See light/translations § Noun.

References

  • light on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Etymology 2

From Middle English lighten, lihten, from Old English l?htan, l?htan, l?ohtan (to lighten, illuminate, give light, shine; grow light, dawn; light, kindle), from Proto-Germanic *liuhtijan?, from *leuht? +? *-jan?. Cognate with German leuchten (to shine).

Verb

light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lit or lighted)

  1. (transitive) To start (a fire).
    Synonym: set
    Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
    We lit the fire to get some heat.
  2. (transitive) To set fire to; to set burning.
    Synonyms: ignite, kindle, conflagrate
    Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
    She lit her last match.
    • 1627, George Hakewill, Apologie [] of the Power and Providence of God
      if a thousand candles be all lighted from one
  3. (transitive) To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.
    Synonyms: illuminate, light up
    I used my torch to light the way home through the woods in the night.
    • 19th century', Frederic Harrison, The Fortnightly Review
      One hundred years ago, to have lit this theatre as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds.
    • The Sun has set, and Vesper, to supply / His absent beams, had lighted up the sky.
  4. (intransitive) To become ignited; to take fire.
    Synonyms: catch fire, ignite, conflagrate
    This soggy match will not light.
  5. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.
    • 1824, Walter Savage Landor, Imaginary Conversations, Richard I and the Abbot of Boxley
      His bishops lead him forth, and light him on.
  6. (transitive, pinball) To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.
    Light the extra ball by amassing 500 million points in the wizard mode.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

Etymology 3

From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English l?oht (luminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent, renowned, beautiful), from Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz (light), from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (light). Cognate with Saterland Frisian ljoacht (light), Dutch licht, German licht.

Adjective

light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)

  1. Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
  2. Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.
  3. (of coffee) Served with extra milk or cream.
Synonyms
  • (having light): bright, lightful
  • (pale in colour): pale
  • (coffee: served with extra milk or cream): white, with milk, with cream
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

Etymology 4

From Old English l?oht, l?ht, from Proto-West Germanic *l??ht, from Proto-Germanic *linhtaz or *l?htaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h?leng??- (light).

Cognate with Dutch licht, German leicht, Swedish lätt, Norwegian lett, Albanian lehtë, Latin levis, Russian ?????? (ljóxkij), Lithuanian lengvas, Sanskrit ??? (laghu).

Adjective

light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)

  1. Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
    • 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.
  2. Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.
  3. Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished.
  4. Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
    1. Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered.
    2. Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads.
    3. (military) Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons.
    4. (nautical, of a ship) Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light.
    5. (rail transport, of a locomotive or consist of locomotives) Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose.
    6. With low viscosity
  5. (cooking) Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.
  6. Gentle; having little force or momentum.
    This artist clearly had a light, flowing touch.
  7. Easy to endure or perform.
    light duties around the house
    • Light sufferings give us leisure to complain.
  8. Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.
    This light beer still gets you drunk if you have enough of it.
  9. Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.
    I made some light comment, and we moved on.
  10. (obsolete) Unchaste, wanton.
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, I.i:
      Long after lay he musing at her mood, / Much grieu'd to thinke that gentle Dame so light, / For whose defence he was to shed his blood.
  11. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.
    • 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Marriage and Single Life
      Unmarried men are best friends, best masters [] but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away.
  12. (dated) Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.
    a light, vain person; a light mind
    • 1633, John Tillotson, The Wisdom of being Religious
      There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion.
  13. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.
    Ogden Nash was a writer of light verse.
    • 1851, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Old News
      specimens of New England humour laboriously light and lamentably mirthful
  14. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.
  15. Easily interrupted by stimulation.
    light sleep; light anesthesia
Synonyms
  • (of little weight):
  • (lightly-built): lightweight
  • (having little force or momentum): delicate, gentle, soft
  • (low in fat, calories, etc): lite, lo-cal (low in calories), low-alcohol (low in alcohol)
  • (having little value or significance): inconsequential, trivial, unimportant
Antonyms
  • (of little weight): heavy, weighty, burdensome
  • (lightly-built): cumbersome, heavyweight, massive
  • (having little force or momentum): forceful, heavy, strong
  • (low in fat, calories, etc): calorific (high in calories), fatty (high in fat), strong (high in alcohol)
  • (having little value or significance): crucial, important, weighty
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

Adverb

light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)

  1. Carrying little.
Derived terms
  • travel light
Related terms
Translations

Noun

light (plural lights)

  1. (curling) A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
  2. See lights (lungs).

Verb

light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lighted)

  1. (nautical) To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter
  2. To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.
Derived terms
  • lighter
Translations

Etymology 5

Old English l?htan

Verb

light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lit or lighted)

  1. To find by chance.
    I lit upon a rare book in a second-hand bookseller's.
  2. To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice
    • 1903, Jack London, The Call of the Wild
      "Sacredam!" he cried, when his eyes lit upon Buck.
  3. (archaic) To alight; to land or come down.
    She fell out of the window but luckily lit on her feet.
    • 1769, Benjamin Blayney (Ed.), King James Bible (Genesis 25:64)
      And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
    • 1885, Theodore Roosevelt, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman
      Some kinds of ducks in lighting strike the water with their tails first, and skitter along the surface for a few feet before settling down.
    • 1957, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), The Cat in the Hat
      And our fish came down, too. He fell into a pot! He said, "Do I like this? Oh, no! I do not. This is not a good game," Said our fish as he lit.
Synonyms
  • (find by chance): chance upon, come upon, find, happen upon, hit upon
  • (alight): alight, land
Derived terms
Translations

French

Etymology

From English light

Adjective

light (invariable)

  1. light, slight
  2. (of food) diet, low-fat, fat-free, light

Middle English

Alternative forms

  • lighte, lyght, lyghte, li?t, li?te, ly?t, ly?te, lij?t, li?ht, ly?ht, ly?hte, li?th, ly?th, ligt, lygtte, ligth, liht, lihte, lyht, lyhte, lith, lithe, lyth, lythe, litht, lite, lyte, lit, lytte, lichte, lict, licth, liste, leoht, leocht, loht

Etymology

From Old English l?oht (light, daylight; power of vision; luminary; world), from Proto-West Germanic *leuht, from Proto-Germanic *leuht? (light), from Proto-Indo-European *lewktom, from the root *lewk- (light).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /lixt/
  • Rhymes: -ixt

Noun

light (plural lightes)

  1. The radiation which allows for vision by brightening objects and colours.
  2. Illumination in general, or any source thereof.
  3. The metaphorical clarity resulting from philosophical or religious ideals such as truth, wisdom, righteousness, etc.
  4. Mental or spiritual acuity; the presence of life in a living being.
  5. (chemistry) The property of lustre; how shiny a substance is.
  6. (religion) Heavenly radiance; glory
  7. (architecture) an opening in a wall allowing for the transmission of light; a window.
  8. The sense of sight.
  9. The state of being easily seen.

Descendants

  • English: light
  • Scots: licht

References

  • “light, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-04-05.

Portuguese

Etymology

Borrowed from English light. Doublet of leve, léu and ligeiro.

Pronunciation

  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /?lajt??/

Adjective

light (invariable, comparable)

  1. (of food) light (low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt or other undesirable substances)

Spanish

Etymology

From English light.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /?lait/, [?lai?t?]

Adjective

light (invariable)

  1. light (low in fat, calories, salt, alcohol, etc.)
  2. (of cigarettes) light (low in tar, nicotine and other noxious chemicals)
  3. (by extension) Lacking substance or seriousness; lite

Usage notes

  • As a foreign term with unassimilated spelling and pronunciation, light is usually rendered in italics in formal contexts or published writings.

References

  • “light” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.

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