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daylight

n. · v.
US //ˈdeɪˌɫaɪt// UK //dˈeɪlaɪt// day·light
  1. 1 natural light (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the natural light from the sun that you see during the day.

    the natural light of day, consisting of direct and indirect sunlight.

    Example

    The artist preferred to paint in natural daylight rather than using electric lamps.

    Example

    The large windows were designed to maximise the amount of daylight entering the gallery, reducing the need for artificial illumination during the summer months.
  2. 2 daytime (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the period of time between the morning and the evening when it is light outside.

    the period of time between sunrise and sunset.

    Example

    We need to finish the roof while we still have enough daylight left.

    Example

    The rescue team worked through the remaining hours of daylight, knowing that the search would become significantly more difficult after dusk.
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  1. 3 a clear difference (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a clear and obvious difference between two people, ideas, or things.

    a noticeable or significant difference, distance, or disagreement between two entities or concepts.

    Example

    There is a lot of daylight between the two political parties on this issue.

    Example

    The latest polls suggest there is now considerable daylight between the leading candidate and her closest rival, making an upset unlikely.
  2. 4 to provide natural light (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Architecture

    to design a building so that natural light can get inside.

    to provide a space with natural light through the strategic placement of windows or skylights.

    Example

    The architects decided to daylight the basement by adding a glass ceiling.

    Example

    By daylighting the interior atrium, the design team significantly improved the well-being of the office workers and reduced the building's energy consumption.
Origin

From Middle English daye-lighte, dey liȝht, dailiȝt, day-liht, dai-liht (also as days lyȝt, daies liht), equivalent to day + light. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Deegeslucht, Daisljoacht (“daylight”), West Frisian deiljocht (“daylight”), Dutch daglicht (“daylight”), German Tageslicht (“daylight”).

Idioms4 entries

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