LOW BEAMS Meaning and
Definition
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Low beams, in the context of automotive lighting, refer to a setting on a vehicle's headlights that illuminates the road ahead with reduced intensity to minimize glare to oncoming drivers and those ahead. Also known as dipped headlights or passing lights, low beams emit a relatively lower-intensity beam that provides sufficient illumination for driving in normal conditions while keeping the light below the eye level of approaching traffic.
The purpose of low beams is twofold: to improve the driver's visibility of the road ahead while minimizing the potential distraction or discomfort for others on the road. By casting the light beam slightly downward, low beams help reduce the reflection and glare that could impede the vision of drivers traveling in the opposite direction or ahead, thus promoting safer nighttime driving.
Typically, low beams are the default setting for headlights and are meant for regular use in urban and suburban areas, where streetlights and other ambient lighting sources are present. They provide adequate illumination for driving at moderate speeds with a wider field of view compared to high beams, which are intended for use in rural or poorly lit areas that require maximum illumination. In many jurisdictions, including road safety regulations, vehicles are legally required to use low beams when driving at night or in poor weather conditions to ensure the safety of all road users.
Etymology of LOW BEAMS
The word "low beams" originated from the combination of two root words: "low" and "beams".
- "Low" comes from the Old English word "hlāh" meaning "not high" or "not elevated". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "hlewwaz" which carried the same meaning.
- "Beams" originated from the Old English word "beam" which referred to a large piece of wood or support. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "baumaz" meaning "tree" or "wood".
The combination of these two words, "low beams", specifically refers to the headlights of a vehicle that are set to a lower position, typically used while driving at night or in foggy conditions, to avoid dazzling or blinding other drivers.
Similar spelling words for LOW BEAMS
