light up

English

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To illuminate, to bring light to something, to brighten.
  • (transitive) To show an increase in activity or a brightening of mood.
  • (intransitive) To light a cigarette, pipe etc.
  • (transitive) To make happy.
  • (transitive) To open fire on a target or group of targets.
  • (chiefly) To shock (someone) with a stun gun.

Etymology

Affix from English light (not heavy, lacking weight, not weighed down, ignite, very like, come, make less heavy, get down, same as, drop, illuminate, lacking weight mental gravity, shine, lacking mental gravity, weak, pale, bright, lighten, l, luminous, visible, little weight, make bright, dismount, unload) + English up (a higher degree, adverb).

Origin

English

up

Gloss

a higher degree, adverb

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms