enlighten

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Verb 1.2.1 Translations 1.2.2 Antonyms 1.3 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Uncertain; any of the following are possible ways in which enlighten was formed:

• light + en- -en, intensifying verbal circumfix;
• originally a by-form of inlighten, itself derived from the obsolete inlight + -en; or,
• in- or en- + lighten.^[1]

[edit] Verb

to enlighten (third-person singular simple present enlightens, present participle enlightening, simple past and past participle enlightened)

1. To supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth.
2. To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Antonyms

• endarken

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ The Oxford English Dictionary (2007) refers to the circumfixation scenario as the simultaneous prefixing of en- and suffixing of -en (which, by definition, constitutes circumfixation).