Enlighten
Origin
Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from Middle English inlighten ("to enlighten, illuminate"), from Old English inlÄ«htan, onlÄ«htan, enlÄ«hten ("to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to") and Middle English lightnen ("to enlighten, illuminate") (equivalent to light + -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten ("to enlighten, inform"), Old High German inliuhten ("to enlighten, illuminate"), Gothic ðŒ¹ðŒ½ðŒ»ðŒ¹ðŒ¿ðŒ·ð„ðŒ¾ðŒ°ðŒ½ (inliuhtjan, "to enlighten, illuminate"). More at inlight, -en.
Full definition of enlighten
Verb
- To supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth.
- To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding.