lighten

Meaning

Verb

  • To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.
  • To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
  • To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to flash.
  • To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
  • To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
  • To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.
  • To make light or lighter in weight.
  • To make less serious or more cheerful.
  • To become light or lighter in weight.
  • To become less serious or more cheerful.
  • To descend; to light.

Origin

  • From Middle English lightnen, equivalent to light + -en.
  • From Middle English lightnen, equivalent to light + -en.
  • From light + -en.

Modern English dictionary

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