Etymology From light (“to ignite”) + -er. Cognate with Middle Dutch lichtere, lichter (“one who spreads light, illuminator”), Dutch lichter, luchter (“candle-holder, chandelier”). Compare also Middle English lightnere, liȝtnere (“one who enlightens or illuminates”).
1
A person who lights things.
a lighter of lamps
2
A device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.
Cigarette in mouth, he clutched his pockets in search of a lighter.
Etymology From Middle English lightere, lyghtere, equivalent to light (“to unload, lighten”) + -er. Compare West Frisian lichter (“lighter ship”), Dutch lichter (“lighter ship”), Middle Low German lichter, lüchter, lüchtære (“a small ship that lightens a load, lighter ship”).
1
To transfer (cargo or passengers) to or from a ship by means of a lighter or other small vessel.
1900. Report of the Commission Appointed by the President to Investigate the Conduct of the War Department in the War with Spain. Vol. 7, pg. 3227. Troops and stores were lightered to the wharves inside the harbor by steamers Orizaba and Berkshire.
Beyond the station an extension descends at 1 in 30, the steepest gradient on the line, to Government Wharf, where cargo is lightered to and from ships at anchor in the harbour.1960 April 23, H. P. White, “The Railways of Sierra Leone”, in Railway Magazine, page 233:
2
To transfer cargo or fuel from (a ship), lightening it to make its draft less or to make it easier to refloat.
lighter
noun
Etymology From Middle English lightere, lyghtere, equivalent to light (“to unload, lighten”) + -er. Compare West Frisian lichter (“lighter ship”), Dutch lichter (“lighter ship”), Middle Low German lichter, lüchter, lüchtære (“a small ship that lightens a load, lighter ship”).
1
A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats).
It is, of course, possible to work only to or from lighters in this way, and such working is not very general in this country, although a certain amount of such overside work is carried on in enclosed docks.1945 January and February, T. F. Cameron, “Dock Working”, in Railway Magazine, page 9: