[see -ING1.]
1. The action of making or becoming bright; illumination. lit. and fig.
1552. Huloet, Bryghtnyng, or brandishynge, vibratio.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 51. The brightning of our Island.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 461, ¶ 4. Bestow upon it a few Brightnings from your Genius.
2. In various technical uses: see quots.
1854. Scoffern, in Orr’s Circ. Sc., Chem. 506. The cupelling process … may be known to have been continued sufficiently long by a peculiar appearance, termed ‘brightening,’ assumed by the silver bead.
1879. G. Gladstone, Calico Printing, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 198/2. Brightening … is for the purpose of bringing up the colours to their full brilliance…. This is attained by passing the goods through a soap bath two or more times.
1882. Artist, 1 Feb., 63/1. A fine pearly grey for brightening or light shading.
