alight

¹

[ uh-lahyt ]

verb (used without object)

, a·light·ed or a·lit, a·light·ing.

1. to dismount from a horse, descend from a vehicle, etc.
2. to settle or stay after descending:

   The bird alighted on the tree.

3. to encounter or notice something accidentally.

alight

²

[ uh-lahyt ]

adverb

1. provided with light; lighted up.
2. on fire; burning.

alight

¹

/ əˈlaɪt /

adjective

1. burning; on fire
2. illuminated; lit up

alight

²

/ əˈlaɪt /

verb

1. usually foll by from to step out (of) or get down (from)

   to alight from a taxi

2. to come to rest; settle; land

   a thrush alighted on the wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of alight¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English alighten, Old English ālīhtan; equivalent to a- ³ + light ³ )

Origin of alight²

First recorded before 1000; originally past participle of alight “to light up,” Middle English alihten, Old English onlīhtan, equivalent to a- ¹ + light ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of alight¹

Old English ālīht lit up, from ālīhtan to light up; see light ¹

Origin of alight²

Old English ālīhtan, from a- ² + līhtan to make less heavy, from līht light ²

Related Words

• descend
• disembark
• get off
• perch
• touch down