Definition

1. Noun:

   • A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads: A "lighter" is a type of barge used to transport goods, especially in canals or between a ship and the shore.
   • A device for producing a flame: A "lighter" is a small, portable tool used to ignite something, such as a cigarette, candle, or fire.

2. Verb:

   • To transport by a flat-bottomed boat: To "lighter" means to carry or transfer cargo using a lighter (the boat).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Boat):

  • The cargo was transferred from the ship to the dock using a lighter.
  • Canal lighters were once a common sight.

• Noun (Ignition Device):

  • He flicked his lighter to light the campfire.
  • Do you have a lighter I could borrow?

• Verb:

  • They had to lighter the supplies to the island.

Advanced Usage

• "Lighterman": A person who operates a lighter (boat).

  • The lighterman skillfully navigated the barge through the narrow canal.

• In a metaphorical sense: While less common, the verb can imply moving something heavy or cumbersome in stages.

  • We had to lighter the equipment across the river bit by bit.

Variants and Related Words

• Lighterage (n): The transfer of cargo using lighters; the fee charged for this service.

  • The cost of lighterage was added to the shipping invoice.

• Lighter (adj., comparative form of 'light'): Having less weight. (Note: This is a different word, a comparative adjective, but is identical in spelling).

  • This box is lighter than that one.

Synonyms

• Noun (Boat): Barge, scow, flatboat.
• Noun (Device): Igniter, firelighter, torch (in specific contexts).
• Verb: Ferry, transport, shuttle.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Lighter" as a verb is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its usage is typically straightforward.)

Related Idioms

• "Lighter than air": This idiom uses the adjective "lighter," not the noun. It means extremely light in weight or very cheerful.
  • Her mood was lighter than air after hearing the good news.

Noun

1. a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
2. a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires
   • do you have a light?
3. a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

Verb

1. transport in a flatbottom boat