Part 694

Light"er (lt"r), n. One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps.

Light"er, n. [D. ligter, fr. ligt light. See Light not heavy.] (Naut.) 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.

Light"er, v. t. To convey by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship.

Light"er*age (-j; 48), 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.

Light"er*man (-mn), n.; pl. Lightermen (-mn). A person employed on, or who manages, a lighter.

Light"-fin`gered (lt"f`grd), a. Dexterous in taking and conveying away; thievish; pilfering; addicted to petty thefts. Fuller.

{ Light"-foot` (-ft`), Light"-foot`ed, } a. Having a light, springy step; nimble in running or dancing; active; as, light-foot Iris. Tennyson.

Light"ful (lt"fl), a. Full of light; bright. [R.] "Lightful presence." Marston.

Light"-hand`ed (lt"hnd`d), a. (Naut.) Not having a full complement of men; as, a vessel light-handed.

Light"-head`ed (-hd`d), a. 1. Disordered in the head; dizzy; delirious. Walpole.

2. Thoughtless; heedless; volatile; unsteady; fickle; loose. "Light-headed, weak men." Clarendon.

-- Light"-head`ed*ness, n.

Light"-heart`ed (-härt`d), a. Free from grief or anxiety; gay; cheerful; merry. -- Light"-heart`ed*ly, adv. - - Light"-heart`ed*ness, n.

Light"-heeled` (-hld`), a. Lively in walking or running; brisk; light-footed.

Light"-horse`man (-hôrs`man), n.; pl. -men (- men).

1. A soldier who serves in the light horse. See under 5th Light.

2. (Zoöl.) A West Indian fish of the genus Ephippus, remarkable for its high dorsal fin and brilliant colors.

Light"house` (-hous`), n.; pl. Lighthouses (-houz`z). 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.

Light"ing, n. (Metal.) A name sometimes applied to the process of annealing metals.

Light"-legged` (lt"lgd`), a. Nimble; swift of foot. Sir P. Sidney.

Light"less, a. Destitute of light; dark. Shak.

Light"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.