Sweet'en1, v. t.
(swēt'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SWEETENED; p. pr. & vb. n. SWEETENING.] [A-S. swētan, geswētan.]
Sense 1. To make sweet to the taste; as, to sweeten tea or coffee.
Sense 2. To make pleasing or grateful to the mind; as, to sweeten life; to sweeten friendship.
Sense 3. To make mild or kind; as, to sweeten the temper.
Sense 4. To make less painful; as, to sweeten the cares of life.
Sense 5. To increase the agreeable qualities of; as, to sweeten the joys or pleasures of life.
Sense 6. To soften to the eye; to make delicate.
Correggio has made his name immortal by the strength he has given to his figures, and by sweetening his lights and shades. Dryden.
Sense 7. To make pure and salubrious by destroying noxious matter; as, to sweeten rooms or apartments that have been infected; to sweeten the air.
Sense 8. To make warm and fertile; as, to dry and sweeten soils.
Sense 9. To restore to purity; as, to sweeten water, butter, or meat.