Definition of lighten

• v. i. - To descend; to light.
• v. i. - To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash.
• v. i. - To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
• v. t. - To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets.
• v. t. - To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
• v. t. - To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
• v. t. - To free from trouble and fill with joy.
• v. t. - 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.
• v. t. - To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
• v. t. - To cheer; to exhilarate.