Main Entry: ¹light·en

Pronunciation: \ˈlī-t^ən\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): light·ened; light·en·ing \ˈlīt-niŋ, ˈlī-t^ən-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English lightenen, from light

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to make light or clear : illuminate
2 archaic : enlighten
3 : to make (as a color) lighterintransitive verb 1 a archaic : to shine brightly b : to grow lighter : brighten
2 : to give out flashes of lightning

— light·en·er \ˈlīt-nər, ˈlī-t^ən-ər\ noun