Refine this word faster
Lighter
Definitions
- 1 comparative form of light: more light comparative, form-of
"I prefer a lighter shade of pink."
- 2 comparative form of light: more light comparative, form-of
"What happened? You look 10 lbs. lighter!"
- 1 A person who lights things.
"a lighter of lamps"
- 2 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."
- 3 a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals) wordnet
- 4 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."
- 5 a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire wordnet
- 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."
- 2 transport in a flatbottom boat wordnet
- 3 To transfer cargo or fuel from (a ship), lightening it to make its draft less or to make it easier to refloat.
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”).
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”).
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”).
From light (“pale”) + -er (“comparative”).
From light (“not heavy, weak”) + -er (“comparative”).
See also for "lighter"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: lighter