intr.v., a·light·ed, or a·lit (ə-lĭt'), a·light·ing, a·lights.
- To come down and settle, as after flight: a sparrow alighting on a branch.
- To get down, as from a vehicle; dismount: The queen alighted from the carriage.
- To come by chance: alight on a happy solution.
[Middle English alighten, from Old English ālīhtan : ā-, intensive pref. + līhtan, to relieve of a burden (from līht, light; see light2).]
a·light2 (ə-līt')
adj.
- Burning; lighted: The discarded match was still alight.
- Illuminated: The sky was alight with millions of stars.
[Middle English, past participle of alighten, to set on fire, from Old English ālīhtan, to illuminate : ā-, intensive pref. + līhtan, to shine (from lēoht, a light; see light1).]
alight a·light' adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
