lighten
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
lighten (third-person singular simple present lightens, present participle lightening, simple past and past participle lightened)
- (transitive) To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.
- (transitive) To make light or lighter in weight.
- (transitive) To make less serious or more cheerful.
- Bible, Psalms xxxiv. 5
- They looked unto him, were lightened.
- Bible, Psalms xxxiv. 5
- (transitive) To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.
- to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets
- Dryden
- A key of fire ran all along the shore, / And lightened all the river with a blaze.
- (intransitive) To become light or lighter in weight.
- (intransitive) To become less serious or more cheerful.
- (intransitive) To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
- (intransitive) To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to flash.
- Shakespeare
- This dreadful night, / That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars / As doth the lion.
- Shakespeare
- (transitive) To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
- Shakespeare
- His eye […] lightens forth / Controlling majesty.
- Shakespeare
- To descend; to light.
- Book of Common Prayer
- O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.
- Book of Common Prayer
- To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
- Sir J. Davies
- Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray.
- Sir J. Davies
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
to alleviate
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to make light in weight
to make less serious
to make brighter or clearer
to become light in weight
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to become brighter or clearer
