Alighting

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Alight \A*light"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Alighted}sometimes
     {Alit}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alighting}.] [OE. alihten, fr. AS.
     [=a]l[imac]htan; pref. [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig.
     meaning out) + l[imac]htan, to alight, orig. to render light,
     to remove a burden from, fr. l[imac]ht, leoht, light. See
     {Light}, v. i.]


     1. To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback
        or from a carriage; to dismount.
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     2. To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop; as, a flying
        bird alights on a tree; snow alights on a roof.
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     3. To come or chance (upon). [R.]
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