moonlight

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English monelight,^[2][3] formed from Middle English mone (“moon”) + light (“light”).^[2][4][5][6] Similar compounds are Dutch maanlicht and German Mondlicht.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The light of the moon: about 1300, in Havelok.^[5][4][6]

Semantic evolution

Chaucer compares a shining bridle to "the moone light" (about 1390),^[4] and in heraldry the word was used about 1475 for moons scattered over a banner.^[5][4] As an adjective, lit by the moon or happening by its light, it is recorded from 1584;^[5] Johnson (1755) defined it so and quoted Shakespeare's "moonlight revels".^[7] In Scotland, Ireland and England the compounds moonlight flit and moonlight flitting named a removal by night to escape creditors, especially the rent;^[8] to do a moonlight is recorded from 1958.^[5] In British regional use and slang moonlight, like moonshine, also meant smuggled spirits.^[5][9] The verb began in 1887 with night raids:^[5][2] a moonlighter was a member of the Irish bands that carried out agrarian outrages at night.^[6][5] From 1903 it also meant to make a moonlight flit,^[5][10] and since 1957, in originally American use, to work a second job, especially at night, from the idea of working by the light of the moon.^[5][6] The phrase moonlight and roses, sentimental romance, is recorded from 1935.^[5][10]

Timeline

• c. 1300 – the light of the moon.^[5][4]
• c. 1475 – heraldry, moons scattered over a banner (obsolete).^[5][4]
• 1584 – adjective, lit by the moon.^[5]
• 1809 – British regional, smuggled spirits.^[5]
• 1887 – verb, to carry out night raids.^[5][2]
• 1903 – verb, to make a moonlight flit.^[5]
• 1935 – moonlight and roses.^[5]
• 1957 – verb, to work a second job.^[5][6]
• 1958 – noun, a moonlight flit.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. The light of the moon, which is sunlight reflected by the moon: The lake shone in the moonlight.^[11][2][5]
2. (chiefly British, informal) Short for moonlight flit, a secret departure by night to avoid paying rent or debts.^[11][5][8]
3. (British regional, rare) Smuggled or illicit spirits; moonshine.^[5][9]

Adjective

1. Lit by the moon, or taking place by its light: a moonlight swim.^[11][5][7]

Verb

1. (informal) To work at a second job in addition to one's regular one, especially at night: He moonlighted as a taxi driver.^{[11][2][5][10]}
2. (informal) To make a moonlight flit.^[5][10]
3. (historical) To carry out raids or illicit activity by night.^[5][10]

Word family

• moonlighter

Related words

• moonlit
• moon
• light
• moonshine

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
3. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
4. ^ a b c d e f Kurath, Hans; Kuhn, Sherman M.; Lewis, Robert E., eds. (1952–2001), Middle English Dictionary, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press; online edition ed. Frances McSparran et al. (2000–2018)
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 27 Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ a b Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
8. ^ a b 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)
9. ^ a b Green, Jonathon (2010), Green's Dictionary of Slang, London: Chambers; digital ed. 2016–, https://greensdictofslang.com
10. ^ a b c d e Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
11. ^ a b c d Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins