| 释义 |
ˈnight-light
[f. night n. + light n. Cf. MDu. (and Du.) nachtlicht, MLG. -lecht, OHG. nahtlioht (G. nachtlicht).]
1. The faint light which is perceptible during the night.
1648Hexham, Nachtlicht, Night light, Night-shine. 1655W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. (ed. 2) I. 56 This night-light of Reason may save a person from some Ditch, or Pond. 1850Mrs. Browning Poems I. 13 Ever wave the Eden trees In the nightlight and the noonlight. 1865Dickens Mut. Fr. iv. xiv, By daylight, nightlight, torchlight. 1892Bruce Apologetics iii. x. 496 The power to appreciate the difference between daylight and nightlight.
2. A light which burns or shines during the night. Also fig.
1839Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. II. 300/1 The absence of an universal system of night-lights or signals. 1895Zangwill Master ii. vii. 212 To watch..the river, mirroring a thousand night-lights, glide on.
b. A small thick candle, or other contrivance, constructed to burn dimly for a long period, and used by night, especially in sick-rooms.
1851Catal. Gt. Exhib. 197 Wax and spermaceti lights, with plaited wicks, and other candles and night lights. 1857W. Collins Dead Secret i. i, The night-light burning by the bed-side, displayed rather than dispelled the darkness. 1887R. N. Carey Uncle Max viii. 69, I had drawn the round table to the bed, and left the night-light..beside the sick woman. |