Etymologically
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lighter

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Lighter, a barge, and lighter, a device for lighting, are separate words: the first is related to lighten, unload, and the second is formed on the verb light, to kindle.[1][2]

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈlaɪtə/, /ˈlɑj-/ (UK); /ˈlaɪtəɹ/ (US)[3]

lighter1 device for lighting

Etymology

It is an agent noun formed from the verb light, to kindle, and -er.[1][2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who lights or kindles: 1553.[2][5]

Semantic evolution

An instrument for lighting gas jets or candles, often a twist of paper, is from 1851,[1][2] and the mechanical cigarette lighter from 1895.[1][2][5] The compound lighter-up is recorded in 1921.[5]

Timeline

  • 1553 – one who lights.[2]
  • 1851 – a lighting device.[2]
  • 1895 – a cigarette lighter.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A small device that produces a flame for lighting cigarettes, cigars or pipes.
  2. A person or thing that ignites something.

Word family

  • cigarette lighter

lighter2 barge

Etymology

It is Middle English, perhaps formed from light, to lighten a load, and -er,[2][1] or from Middle Dutch *lichter (Dutch lichter), from lichten, to lighten, unload.[4][1][2][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

A flat-bottomed barge: 1372–74 in Barnhart,[2] the late 15th century in Etymonline, 1487 in the OED.[1][5]

Semantic evolution

Lighters are used for loading or unloading ships that cannot approach a wharf.[1] Lighterman is an early compound.[5][1] The verb, to carry goods in a lighter, is from 1840,[2][5][4] and lighterage, the conveying of goods by lighter or its charge, is a related noun.[6]

Timeline

  • 1372–74 – a barge.[2]
  • 1610 – lighterman and other compounds.[5]
  • 1840 – the verb.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A large flat-bottomed barge for carrying cargo between ships and the shore.

Verb

  1. To carry cargo in a lighter.

Word family

  • lighterage
  • lighterman

Usage notes

In Scots, to be lighter, of a woman, meant to be delivered of a child.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  7. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)