Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lighten?

\Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'n), v. i. [See {Light} to alight.] To descend; to light. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. --Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.].
\Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lightened} (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Lightening}.] [OE. lightenen. See {Light} to kindle, illuminate.] 1. To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash. This dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars As doth the lion. --Shak. 2. To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
\Light"en\, v. t. [See {Light} to illuminate.] 1. To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets. [In this sense less common than light.] A key of fire ran all along the shore, And lightened all the river with a blaze. --Dryden. 2. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.] Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray. --Sir J. Davies. 3. To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning. His eye . . . lightens forth Controlling majesty. --Shak. 4. To free from trouble and fill with joy. They looked unto him, and were lightened. --Ps. xxxiv. 5.
\Light"en\, v. t. [See {Light} not heavy.] 1. To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden. 2. To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief. 3. To cheer; to exhilarate. Lightens my humor with his merry jests. --Shak.