Lighten /(līt"'n)/

1. To descend; to light.

   O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.

imp. & p. p. Lightened; p. pr. & vb. n. Lightening

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.

2. To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.

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.

2. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.]

   Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray.

3. To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.

   His eye . . . lightens forth Controlling majesty.

4. To free from trouble and fill with joy.

   They looked unto him, and were lightened.

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.