Lighten \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'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.]

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Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Lighten \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.]

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)