Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Enlighten

En-light′en

,
Verb.
T.
[Pref.
en-
+
lighten
: cf. AS.
inlīhtan
. Cf.
Enlight
.]
1.
To supply with light; to illuminate;
as, the sun
enlightens
the earth
.
His lightnings
enlightened
the world.
Ps. xcvii. 4.
2.
To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct;
as, to
enlighten
the mind or understanding
.
The conscience
enlightened
by the Word and Spirit of God.
Trench.

Webster 1828 Edition

Enlighten

ENLI'GHTEN

,
Verb.
T.
enli'tn. [from light.]
1.
To make light; to shed light on; to supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth.
His lightnings enlightened the world. Ps.97.
2.
To quicken in the faculty of vision; to enable to see more clearly.
Jonathan's--eyes were enlightened. 1 Sam. 14.
3.
To give light to; to give clearer views; to illuminate; to instruct; to enable to see or comprehend truth; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding.
4.
To illuminate with divine knowledge, or a knowledge of the truth.
Those who were once enlightened. Heb.6.

Definition 2024

enlighten

enlighten

English

Verb

enlighten ‎(third-person singular simple present enlightens, present participle enlightening, simple past and past participle enlightened)

  1. To supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth.
  2. To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding.

Translations

Antonyms

Etymology

Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from Middle English inlighten ‎(“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhten ‎(“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and Middle English lightnen ‎(“to enlighten, illuminate”) (equivalent to light +‎ -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten ‎(“to enlighten, inform”), Old High German inliuhten ‎(“to enlighten, illuminate”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 ‎(inliuhtjan, “to enlighten, illuminate”). More at inlight, -en.

Similar Results