THE TOPICAL LEXICON.
OF LIGHT.
1. Terms significant of the various modifications of Light.
LIGHT is the agent which renders objects visible.
Light, in a figurative sense, is the information which enables us to apprehend the true nature and relations of things.
Note 1.—There are two theories in regard to the nature of light. The one theory supposes light to be a material fluid, emanating in minute particles from luminous bodies. According to the other theory, the sensation of light is produced by the undulations of a subtle ether acting on the organs of sight, in a manner analogous to that in which the undulations of the air, acting on the organs of hearing, produce the sensation of sound. The latter of these theories is generally received by scientific men of the present day.
Note 2.—Light is propagated through space in right lines, at the rate of 192,000 miles per second.
To Shine is either to emit inherent light, as the sun; or to reflect borrowed light, as the moon.
A Sheen is a reflected shining.
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.—Byron.
Bright, either emitting or reflecting light freely. The sun is bright, as is likewise the piece of polished steel that reflects his brightness.
Dim, either emitting or reflecting a faint light.
Dull, deficient either in native or borrowed brightness. A lamp that needs trimming gives a dull light, A key that is not used becomes dull.
To Flicker is to shine with a feeble and unsteady light, like the flame of an expiring lamp.
To Twinkle is to shine with a small intermitting light.
Note.—Twinkle is a modification of winkle, which is a diminutive and frequentative of wink. When, therefore, we say that the stars twinkle, we compare them to little eyes that open and shut with great rapidity.
To Sparkle is to shine with a resemblance of sparks. A collection of small diamonds sparkles. Spangles of frost sparkle in the sunlight.
A Spangle is, 1. A small plate or boss of shining metal. 2. Any little thing that is very bright and sparkling.
To Spangle, or to Bespangle, is to adorn with spangles.
The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue, ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.—Addison.
To Glimmer is to shine with a faint and tremulous light. Dying embers glimmer on the hearth. The early dawn glimmers in the east.
To Gleam is to shoot forth small streams of light.
The meek-eyed morn appears, mother of dews, At first faint gleaming in the dappled east.—Thomson.
Figuratively, we speak of a gleam of hope.
To Glitter is to shine with an unsteady and irregular emission or reflection of light. The stars glitter, The diamond on a lady's ring glitters.
To Glister is to shine with a keen and sparkling light.
Pleasant the sun,
When first on this delightful land he spreads
His orient beams on herb, tree, fruit, and flower,
Glistering with dew.—Milton.
