GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 4 definitions
-
Lighten (lītˈ'n), v. i. [See Light to alight.] To descend; to light.
[1913 Webster]
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.].
[1913 Webster]
-
Lighten (lītˈ'n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lightened (lītˈ'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.
[1913 Webster]
This dreadful night,
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
As doth the lion. Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
[1913 Webster]
-
Lighten, 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.]
[1913 Webster]
A key of fire ran all along the shore,
And lightened all the river with a blaze. Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.]
[1913 Webster]
Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray. Sir J. Davies.
[1913 Webster]
3. To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
[1913 Webster]
His eye . . . lightens forth
Controlling majesty. Shak.
[1913 Webster]
4. To free from trouble and fill with joy.
[1913 Webster]
They looked unto him, and were lightened. Ps. xxxiv. 5.
[1913 Webster]
-
Lighten, 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.”
[1913 Webster]
2. To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, “to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief”.
[1913 Webster]
3. To cheer; to exhilarate.
[1913 Webster]
Lightens my humor with his merry jests. Shak.
[1913 Webster]