from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bright \Bright\, a. [OE. briht, AS. beorht, briht; akin to OS.
berht, OHG. beraht, Icel. bjartr, Goth. ba['i]rhts.
[root]94.]
1. Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much
light; shining; luminous; not dark.
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The sun was bright o'erhead. --Longfellow.
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The earth was dark, but the heavens were bright.
--Drake.
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The public places were as bright as at noonday.
--Macaulay.
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2. Transmitting light; clear; transparent.
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From the brightest wines
He 'd turn abhorrent. --Thomson.
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3. Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or
that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent
with charms; as, bright beauty.
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Bright as an angel new-dropped from the sky.
--Parnell.
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4. Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent.
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5. Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding
cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery.
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Be bright and jovial among your guests. --Shak.
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6. Illustrious; glorious.
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In the brightest annals of a female reign. --Cotton.
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7. Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear;
evident; plain.
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That he may with more ease, with brighter evidence,
and with surer success, draw the bearner on. --I.
Watts.
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8. Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance.
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Here the bright crocus and blue violet grew. --Pope.
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Note: Bright is used in composition in the sense of
brilliant, clear, sunny, etc.; as, bright-eyed,
bright-haired, bright-hued.
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{bright side} the positive or favorable aspects of a
situation.
{to look on the bright side} to focus the attention on
favorable aspects of a situation; to minimize attention to
possible negative or unfavorable factors in a situation.
[PJC]
Syn: Shining; splending; luminous; lustrous; brilliant;
resplendent; effulgent; refulgent; radiant; sparkling;
glittering; lucid; beamy; clear; transparent;
illustrious; witty; clear; vivacious; sunny.
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