Lighten (līt'n), v. i. [See Light to alight.] To descend; to light.
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O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.].
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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.]
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A key of fire ran all along the shore,
And lightened all the river with a blaze. Dryden.
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2. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.]
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Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray. Sir J. Davies.
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3. To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
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His eye . . . lightens forth
Controlling majesty. Shak.
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4. To free from trouble and fill with joy.
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They looked unto him, and were lightened. Ps. xxxiv. 5.
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