Gladden
Full definition of gladden
Verb
- (transitive) To cause (something) to become more glad.
- 1798: William Wordsworth, The Nightingale http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-pubeng?specfile=/texts/english/modeng/publicsearch/modengpub.o2w&act=surround&offset=751382270&tag=Wordsworth,+William:+Lyrical+Ballads,+1798&query=+gladden&id=Wor2LyrA balmy night! and tho' the stars be dim,Yet let us think upon the vernal showersThat gladden the green earth, and we shall findA pleasure in the dimness of the stars.
- 1838: Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-pubeng?specfile=/texts/english/modeng/publicsearch/modengpub.o2w&act=text&offset=266704619&textreg=2&query=+gladden&id=DicOlivHer body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature's hand. Alas! How few of Nature's faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!
- (intransitive, archaic) To become more glad in one's disposition.
- 1470: Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-pubeng?specfile=/texts/english/modeng/publicsearch/modengpub.o2w&act=text&offset=456406326&textreg=2&query=+gladden&id=Mal2MorIn May when every lusty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth, for as the season is lusty to behold and comfortable, so man and woman rejoice and gladden of summer coming with his fresh flowers...