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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Lighten \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.]
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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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Lighten \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'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 \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'n), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Lightened} (l[imac]t"'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.
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This dreadful night,
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
As doth the lion. --Shak.
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2. To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to
brighten; to clear, as the sky.
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Lighten \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.
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2. To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as,
to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
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3. To cheer; to exhilarate.
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Lightens my humor with his merry jests. --Shak.
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