lighter

Everyday

1. A small device that makes a flame, used to light candles, cigarettes, stoves or fires. tree →
2. Less heavy: «A feather is lighter than a stone». tree →
3. Paler or less dark in colour: «light blue is lighter than navy». tree →
4. Brighter, with more light: «It's lighter in the mornings now». tree →
5. Less serious or less strong: «a lighter meal». tree →
6. Lighter can also mean less worried and happier in your heart. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science: comparing mass — «Which is lighter?»; on a balance the lighter side goes up. In art: mix white to make a colour lighter. In safety: lighters and matches are not toys — give any you find to an adult. Phrases: «lighter than», «a cigarette lighter», «lighter in colour».

Examples

• A feather is lighter than a brick. tree →
• The side of the scale that goes up is lighter. tree →
• Add white paint to make the blue lighter. tree →
• It gets lighter earlier in spring. tree →
• Never play with a lighter; give it to an adult. tree →
• Dad used a lighter to light the barbecue. tree →
• My school bag is lighter today because I have no books. tree →
• We had a lighter lunch because it was hot. tree →
• And when she had offered this prayer, her heart felt lighter. tree →

Note

Two different words with the same spelling: «lighter» from «light» (not heavy / not dark) and «a lighter» (a flame tool, from the verb «light»). In maths, «lighter» compares mass: if A is 3 kg and B is 5 kg, A is 2 kg lighter. Opposites: heavier, darker.

In Jewish tradition

In these texts it often means less heavy, as when the people ask Rehoboam to make their yoke lighter. In Psalms it means weighing less than nothing.

Interpretation. The yoke stands for heavy taxes and labor. Rehoboam's refusal is read as the foolish choice that split the kingdom in two.

Examples

• Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie; if they be laid in the balances, they are together lighter than vanity. (Writings PSA.62.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Thy father made our yoke grievous; now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.' (Prophets 1KI.12.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he said unto them: 'What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying: Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?' (Prophets 1KI.12.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Two different words with the same spelling: «lighter» from «light» (not heavy / not dark) and «a lighter» (a flame tool, from the verb «light»). In maths, «lighter» compares mass: if A is 3 kg and B is 5 kg, A is 2 kg lighter. Opposites: heavier, darker.