v. Obs. or arch. Forms: 1 inlíhtan, -léhtan, -lýhtan, 4 ynliȝte-n, 7 inlight, 6– enlight. [OE. inlíhtan, f. in- + líhtan (see LIGHT v.) to shine. But the word in 17–18th c. is prob. independently f. EN-1 + LIGHT v. Cf. ALIGHT v.3]
1. trans. To shed light upon, illuminate. Also fig. and absol.
c. 975. Rushw. Gosp., Luke xi. 36. Swa leht leʓedes in-lihteð ðec.
a. 1000. Guthlac, 70 (Gr.). Siððan hine inlyhte, se þe lifes weʓ gæstum ʓearwað.
1382. Wyclif, 2 Cor. iv. 6. God hath ynliȝtid in oure hertis.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. iv. (1605–7), I. 143. Seeing the Lampe which doth enlight the Whole.
1634. Habington, Castara (Arb.), 137. The Cymmerians, whom no ray Doth ere enlight.
1665. Wither, Lord’s Prayer, 84. Some who have been in a good measure inlighted.
1675. Cocker, Morals, 24. How dark’s the Lesser Worlds sad Winters Night, When Reasons radiant Rays do not enlight.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., II. 403. That sun … Enlights the present, and shall warm the last.
2. trans. To enlight up: to light up, kindle, cause to shine.
1818. Lamb, Sonn., iii. Wks. 603. What rare witchery … Enlighted up the semblance of a smile In those fine eyes.
