Alit

/əˈlɪt/ verb

Definition

Past tense of 'alight'—to descend and settle down on something, like a bird landing on a branch.

Etymology

From Old English 'alihtan' (to dismount), combining 'a-' (down) and 'lihtan' (to make light or descend). The meaning has stayed consistent for over 1,000 years.

Kelly Says

Poets love 'alit' because it's more graceful than 'landed'—a butterfly alit on the flower sounds more magical than a butterfly landed on the flower.

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