How the through-deck cruiser became a light carrier

What does through-deck cruiser mean, and how did the term relate to the Invincible class?

It described a cruiser with a continuous flight deck for operating more helicopters than earlier hangar conversions, and the concept evolved into the Invincible-class light carrier.

The label helped present a ship with a full-length aviation deck as a cruiser rather than an aircraft carrier. Compared with converted cruisers such as Tiger and Blake, a through deck supported more helicopters and more efficient flight operations. Once fixed-wing V/STOL aircraft joined the air group, the practical result was a light carrier regardless of the political wording.