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.