lighten 1
— lightener , n.
/luyt"n/ , v.i.
1. to become lighter or less dark; brighten: The sky lightened after the storm.
2. to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features: Her face lightened when she heard the good news.
3. to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject): It thundered and lightened for hours.
4. Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright: steel blades lightening in the sun.
v.t.
5. to give light to; illuminate: A full moon lightened the road.
6. to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.): A large smile lightened his face.
7. to make lighter or less dark: Add white to lighten the paint.
8. Obs. enlighten.
9. Obs. to flash or emit like lightning (usually fol. by out, forth, or down ): eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.
[ 1300-50; ME lightnen; see LIGHT 1 , -EN 1 ]
lighten 2
/luyt"n/ , v.t.
1. to make lighter in weight: to lighten the load on a truck.
2. to lessen the load of or upon: to lighten a cargo ship.
3. to make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate: to lighten taxes; to lighten someone's cares.
4. to cheer or gladden: Such news lightens my heart.
v.i.
5. to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up: Border inspections have lightened recently.
6. to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.: His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.
7. to become less gloomy; perk up: People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.
[ 1350-1400; ME lightnen; see LIGHT 2 , -EN 1 ]
Syn. 3. ease, lessen, reduce.
Ant. 3. aggravate.