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.