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