Light

A right to the access of the sun's rays to one's windows, free from any obstruction by the occupier of the adjoining land.

A window, or opening in the wall for the admission of light. Also a privlege or easement to haye light admitted into one’s building by the openings made for that purpose, without obstruction or obscuration by the walls of adjacent or neighboring structures,

The right to the free access of the sun's rays to one's windows. A species of easement; spoken of as "the right to light and air," also as "ancient lights:" because the possessor must have enjoyed them for at least twenty years before dlaiming the right. At common law, light belongs to the first occupant during the time he holds possession. In England, this doctrine is still recognized, the right arising by prescription, or from an express or implied grant. In this country, the doctrine has been repudiated; at most, the right can be acquired only by express grant. • See Bay-window; Occupancy. False light. See Wreck; Yacht. ■ United States v. Crulkshank, 92 U. S. 554-55 (1875); Bank of Columbia v. Okely, 4 Wheat. 324 (1819). »2 Bl. Com. 130. >\ B!. Com. 292. ' See Story v. Odin, 12 Mass. '160 (1815), cases; Swansborough V. Coventry, 9 Bing. (23 E. C. L.) 593-94 (1832),, LIGHTNIH-a. A policy of insurance which provides that the insurer shall be liable for fire by lightning, does not cover damage where there is no ignition. i A tornado, due to electrical disturbance, and causing results like those produced by lightning, may be "lightning; " and expert testimony is receivable that lightning accompanying a tornado was the proximate cause of a loss.'' Where a horse is described in a policy against fire, to which is attached a clause of indemnity against lightning, " as contained in " a specified building, the animal need not be kept in the building all the time: it may be pastured in an adjoining field, and, if killed there by lightning, the insurance is recoverable.^

Besides the vernacular sense of this word, two or three somewhat technical uses of it are found. 1. It is nearly equivalent to window, except that openings are termed lights when their use for admitting illumination is the prominent idea; windows, when their use to give opportunity to look out is uppermost. 6 /. B. Moore, 47; Swansborough v. Coventry, 9 Biiig. 305. 2. It signifies an easement or right to have one's building illuminated through openings in its walls, free from obstruction by buildings on adjoining lands; as in the phrase ancient lights, q. v. Lights. The right which a man has to have the access of the sun's rays to his windows, free from any obstruction on the part of his neighbors. (1 Steph. Com. 660, 661.) It is a species of easement. This is sometimes spoken of as " the right to light and air;" sometimes as "ancient lights," because the possessor must have enjoyed them for a certain time before claiming the right in question. This period is now twenty years. (Stat. 2 Sr 3, Wm. IV. eh. 71, § 3; 1 Steph. Com. 691, 692.) Moz Uy Sr W. 3. The lamps and other burning signals, required by statute regulating or protecting navigation, to be maintained on board ship, or at dangerous points on the coast, are called lights. Light-house. An edifice of peculiar structure, many of which are erected by commercial nations, at exposed or ance of vessels at night. They are erected in the United States by congress, and are regulated by Rev. Stat. 913, tit. 55. Light-house board. A commission authorized by congress, consisting of two officers of the navy, two officers of the corps of engineers of the array, and two civilians, together with an officer of the navy and an officer of engineers of the army as secretaries, attached to the office of the secretary of the treasury, at Washington, and charged with superintending the construction and management of light-houses, light-ships, and other maritime signals for protection of commerce. Light-ship; light-vessel. A vessel moored usually at a spot where a lighthouse cannot so well be erected, for the purpose of sustaining a light for guidance of vessels approaching the coast.