Lighten | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Light'en, v. i.

verbintransitive

(līt'n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. LIGHTENED; p. pr. & vb. n. LIGHTENING.] [A-S. leóhtan, lyhtan, to shine. Cf. lēgettan, to lighten, lēget, lightning.] 1. To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with an instantaneous illumination; to shine like lightning; to flash. This dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars As doth the lion. Shak.

To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to clear, as the weather.
To fall; to light. [Obs.]

Light'en, v. t.

verbtransitive

(lit'n), v. t. [See LIGHT, v. t.] 1. To make light or clear; to dissipate darkness from; to fill with light; to spread over with light; to illuminate; to enlighten, as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets. A key of fire ran all along the shore, And lightened all the river with a blaze. Dryden.

To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. “A light to lighten the Gentiles.” Luke ii. 32.
To free from trouble and fill with joy.

They looked unto him, and were lightened. Ps. xxxiv. 5.

Light'en, v. t.

verbtransitive

(līt'n), v. t. [A-S. līhtan, to lift, gelīhtan, to alleviate. See LIGHT, not heavy.]

To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life; to lighten the burden of grief.
To cheer; to exhilarate.

He lightens my humor with his merry jest. Shak.