full beam headlamp
- noun
- UK
- You should only use the full beam headlamp when there's no one coming toward you on the road.
Examples
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Remember to switch off the full beam headlamp when approaching another car at night.
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The driver's full beam headlamp dazzled oncoming vehicles on the narrow country lane.
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Use your full beam headlamp when driving at night.
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The car's full beam headlamps illuminated the dark road.
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You should only use the full beam headlamp when there are no other vehicles nearby.
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The driver had to switch off the full beam headlamp to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
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At night, a full beam headlamp is essential for seeing far down an unlit road.
Synonyms
A bright headlight setting that lights far ahead for night driving
A bright car light that shines straight ahead and should only be used when no other cars are near
A bright car light that shines far and should be used only when no other cars are ahead
A strong front light on a car used when no other cars come because it can blind drivers
Antonyms
How Bright
- UK
- US
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'full' (completely) + 'beam' (shaft of light) + 'headlamp' (car front lamp) yields a strongly lit car headlamp. This follows common automotive phrasing (cf. 'high beam/low beam') and would be inferable by a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Full beam headlamp: The noun full beam headlamp names a car headlamp when the beam is set to its full bright power. The image is simple: this very bright, straight light can 'dazzle' other drivers, so it is meant to be used only when no one is coming toward you on the road.