alight

1
[ uh-lahyt ]
/ əˈlaɪt /

verb (used without object), a·light·ed or a·lit, a·light·ing.

to dismount from a horse, descend from a vehicle, etc.
to settle or stay after descending: The bird alighted on the tree.
to encounter or notice something accidentally.

Origin of alight

1
before 1000; Middle English alighten, Old English ālīhtan, equivalent to ā- a-3 + līhtan to relieve (originally an animal mount) of weight, light2)

Definition for alight (2 of 2)

alight 2
[ uh-lahyt ]
/ əˈlaɪt /

adverb, adjective

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

Origin of alight

2
before 1000; now taken as a-1 + light1; orig. past participle of alight to light up (Middle English alihten, Old English onlīhtan, equivalent to on a-1 + līhtan to light1)

Example sentences from the Web for alight

British Dictionary definitions for alight (1 of 2)

alight 1
/ (əˈlaɪt) /

verb alights, alighting, alighted or alit (intr)

(usually foll by from) to step out (of) or get down (from) to alight from a taxi
to come to rest; settle; land a thrush alighted on the wall

Word Origin for alight

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

British Dictionary definitions for alight (2 of 2)

alight 2
/ (əˈlaɪt) /

adjective, adverb (postpositive)

burning; on fire
illuminated; lit up

Word Origin for alight

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