lighter
/ˈlaɪtɚ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.09 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.
noun
A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats).
verb
To transfer (cargo or passengers) to or from a ship by means of a lighter or other small vessel.
verb
To transfer cargo or fuel from (a ship), lightening it to make its draft less or to make it easier to refloat.
adj
comparative form of light: more light
adj
comparative form of light: more light
Example Sentences
- "a lighter of lamps"
- "Cigarette in mouth, he clutched his pockets in search of a lighter."
- "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."
- "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."
- "Beyond the station an extension descends at 1 in 30, the steepest gradient on the line, to Government Wharf, where cargo is lightered to and from ships at anchor in the harbour."
- "I prefer a lighter shade of pink."
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”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈlaɪtɚ/
- British English: /ˈlaɪtə/