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Glite Dictionary
panel light

panel light

3.5
A small lamp that makes a car or plane instrument panel easy to read at night
  • noun
  • /ˈpænəl laɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : luz de panel
  • When the panel light turned red, the pilot knew it was time to check the aircraft systems.

Examples

  • The panel lights glowed green, and the orange fluorescent speedometer needle worked up to nearly seventy.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The mechanic replaced the faulty panel light to ensure clear visibility of the instrument readings.

  • When its panel light turned green again, Trumball opened the hatch and stepped in.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The Saunders Group is now marketing an affordable modular panel light control system, which they call the California Sunbounce.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The panel light on the dashboard illuminated when the engine started, giving the driver reassurance.

Synonyms

light
vspanel light
∞ 1.0

A device like a lamp or bulb that produces light

is for illumination of instrument displays in vehicles or aircraft specifically
lamp
vspanel light
274 1.0

Something that gives light for a room or table

is specific to illumination of instrument displays in vehicles or aircraft

How Bright

floodlight
9 3.4
reading lamp
1 1.3
panel light
  • Specialized
3.5

Surface Forms

panel light singular
panel lights plural

Morphology

panel + light

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'panel' modifies 'light' to mean a light used for or on a panel; the meaning is directly compositional from the known senses of 'panel' and 'light'. Such modifier+head compounds are common cross-linguistically and follow regular English compounding patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun panel light comes from a simple image: a small light set into an instrument panel so pilots and drivers can 'see the dials' at night. That's why it means 'a lamp that lights an instrument panel'.