lighten

Verb
Synonyms: lighten upbuoy upbrightenrelieve

WordNet 3.0

Verb (6)

  1. make more cheerful“the conversation lightened me up a bit”Synonyms: lighten upbuoy up
  2. reduce the weight on; make lighter“she lightened the load on the tired donkey”
  3. become more cheerful“after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit”Synonyms: lighten upbuoy up
  4. make lighter or brighter“The paint will brighten the room”Synonyms: brightenlighten up
  5. become lighter“The room lightened up”Synonyms: lighten up
  6. alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive“relieve the pressure and the stress”“lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents”Synonyms: relieve
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Webster's Dictionary (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.] [1913 Webster]

A key of fire ran all along the shore, And lightened all the river with a blaze.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.] [1913 Webster]

Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray.— Sir J. Davies.[1913 Webster]

3.To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning. [1913 Webster]

His eye . . . lightens forth Controlling majesty.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.To free from trouble and fill with joy. [1913 Webster]

They looked unto him, and were lightened.— Ps. xxxiv. 5.[1913 Webster]
Lighten \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'n), v. i. [See Light to alight.] To descend; to light. [1913 Webster]

O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. --Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.]. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

This dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars As doth the lion.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2.To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief. [1913 Webster]

3.To cheer; to exhilarate. [1913 Webster]

Lightens my humor with his merry jests.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
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