(
High
Intensity
Discharge) A new type of
headlight first seen on
luxury automobiles. Instantly recognizable by their
bluish-white tint, and much more bright than regular or
halogen headlights. They do not have
bulbs or
tungsten filaments. Light is produced by a
high-voltage arc between two
electrodes in a
gas capsule containing
xenon. This is similar but not quite like
sodium vapor street lighting.
Beware of
knock-offs. Halogen lights with a blue tint are not the same, and are probably
illegal, check your
highway code.