Moonlight
/ˈmuːn.laɪt/noun
The light reflected from the Moon, especially at night.
Did you know?In English folklore and literature, moonlight was often linked with enchantment, altered states, and uncanny behavior, which is why the moon became such a powerful symbol of magic and hidden influence.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
mōn-līht
“moonlight; the light of the moon”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*mēnan- / *mēnô + *leuhtam
“moon + light”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meh₁n̥s-
“moon; month (the moon as a timekeeper)”
Old English
OE
lēoht
“light, brightness”
Modern English
English
moonlight
“the light reflected from the Moon”