Light"en (?), v. i. [See Light to alight.]
To descend; to light.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.
Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.]
© Webster 1913.
Light"en (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lightened (?); 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.
© Webster 1913.
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, were lightened.
Ps. xxxiv. 5.
© Webster 1913.
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.
Lighens my humor with his merry jests.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.