Alight vs Brilliant - What's the difference?
alight | brilliant | Related terms |
(with from) To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount.
(with on) To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop.
To come or chance (upon).
To light; light up; illuminate.
To set light to; light.
Lit, on fire, switched on.
(figuratively) Lit; on fire, burning.
Shining brightly.
(of a colour) Both bright and saturated.
(of a voice or sound) having a sharp, clear tone
Of surpassing excellence.
Magnificent or wonderful.
Highly intelligent.
A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets.
* Alexander Pope
* 1891 , Arthur Conan Doyle, A Case of Identity
(printing) A small size of type.
A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Alight is a related term of brilliant.
As adjectives the difference between alight and brilliant
is that alight is lit, on fire, switched on while brilliant is shining brightly.As a verb alight
is to make light or less heavy; lighten; alleviate or alight can be (with from) to spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount or alight can be to light; light up; illuminate.As a noun brilliant is
a finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets.alight
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .Etymology 2
From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .Verb
- Passengers are alighting from the carriage
- A flying bird alights on a tree
- Snow alights on a roof .
Etymology 3
From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .Verb
Etymology 4
From (etyl) alight, from (etyl) *. See above.Alternative forms
*Adjective
(-)- The sticks were damp and wouldn't catch alight .
- Her face was alight with happiness.
Usage notes
Used only as a predicative.brilliant
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- the brilliant lights along the promenade
- butterflies with brilliant blue wings
- The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant .
- She is a brilliant scientist.
Synonyms
* (shining brightly) glittering, shining * * * (surpassing excellence) excellent, distinctive, striking, superb (obsolete except in UK usage) * (magnificent or wonderful) exceptional, glorious, magnificent, marvellous/marvelous, splendid, wonderful (obsolete except in UK usage) * (highly intelligent) brainy, ingenious * See alsoNoun
(en noun)- This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.
- “And the ring?” I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.