Enlighten

v. Forms: α. 6– enlighten. β. 4 inliȝten, 6–8 inlighten, (7 illighten). [f. EN-¹ + LIGHT sb. + -EN⁵: see EN- pref.¹ 2 b.

  (As in many vbs. with the same prefix and suffix, the precise mode of formation is doubtful. Possibly inlighten (14th c.: see sense 4) was a secondary form of inlight (see prec.); formation on IN-, EN-¹ + LIGHTEN v. is also possible. Cf. ALIGHTEN.)]

  † 1.  trans. To put light into, make luminous.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, i. 1. Which should take vpon them to inlighten the Sunne with a Candle.

1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XIII. lxxviii. (1612), 323. One Sunne inlighteneth euery Light.

1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 350. Thou rollest round the Heavens, enlightnest the Sun.

a. 1763.  Byrom, Thanksg. Hymn, Wks. (1810), 254. And the Moon is enlighten’d to govern the night.

  † b.  To light, set light to (a lamp, a combustible). Obs.

1613–6.  W. Browne, Brit. Past., I. iii. Now had … all the lamps of heav’n inlightned bin.

a. 1634.  Chapman, Revenge Hon., Wks. 1873, III. 322. I ere long enlightened by my anger Shall be my own pile and consume to ashes.

  2.  To shed light upon, illuminate (an object, scene, etc.); to give light to (persons). Also absol. Now chiefly poet. or rhetorical.

1611.  Bible, Ps. xcvii. 4. His lightnings inlightned the world.

1635.  Swan, Spec. M., iii. § 2 (1643), 48. The element of fire … whose act and qualitie is to enlighten.

1711.  Shaftesb., Charac. (1737), II. 372. Vital Treasures which inlighten and invigorate the surrounding Worlds.

1761.  Smollett, Humph. Cl. (1815), 109. Ranelagh … enlightened with a thousand golden lamps.

1784.  Cowper, Task, I. 348. Shadow and sunshine … darkning and enlightning … ev’ry spot.

1831.  Brewster, Newton (1855), I. iv. 80. The sun … enlightened some such clouds near him.

1842.  Longf., Sp. Stud., II. x. Thou moon … all night long enlighten my sweet lady-love!

1871.  B. Taylor, Faust (1875), II. II. iii. 162. What fiery marvel the billows enlightens.

  † b.  fig. To throw light upon, elucidate (a subject). Obs.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xxxi. 587. Which end of the Lawe is greatly inlightened vnto vs by the comming of our Lord Iesus.

1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 464. For the difference of Regions do very much enlighten the discription or history of Sheep.

1694.  R. Burthogge, Reason, 150. This Discourse … will seem a little Mysterious; and, therefore, to Inlighten it, [etc.].

1738.  J. Keill, Anim. Oecon., 54. By whose bright Genius … we see the Theory of Medicine enlightened and illustrated.

  † 3.  a. To light, give light to (a room or building) by lamps, etc., or by windows. b. To light (a district, town, etc.); to furnish with lighting apparatus. Obs.

1645.  Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 179. Enlightened with 44 apertures or windows, artificially disposed.

1706.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4292/3. Letters Patents for Enlightening the Suburbs of London … by new invented Lights.

1737.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1886), II. 142. An Act … for enlightening round the Dock.

1768.  Chron., in Ann. Reg., 73/1. The bill for enlightening … the parish of St. Mary le bone in the county of Middlesex.

1773.  Noorthouck, New Hist. London, 599. The body is enlightened by a single series of large gothic windows.

1817.  D. Hughson, Walks through London, 292. A plain brick building, well enlightened.

  † 4.  In Biblical phrase: To remove dimness or blindness from (the eyes, and fig. the heart). Obs.

1382.  Wyclif, Ephes. i. 18. The yȝen of ȝoure herte inliȝtened.

c. 1535.  Fisher, Wks. (1883), 439. He must beseche our sauiour Christ to enlighten his harte by clere faith.

1611.  Bible, 1 Sam. xiv. 29. See, I pray you, how mine eyes haue beene enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honie.

a. 1703.  Burkitt, On N. T., Mark x. 52 (1739), 120/1. He stood still, he called him, and enlight[e]ned his Eyes.

  5.  fig. To supply with intellectual light; to impart knowledge or wisdom to; to instruct. In mod. use often humorously in trivial sense: To inform, remove (one’s) ignorance of something.

1667.  Milton, P. L., XI. 115. Reveale To Adam what shall come … As I shall thee enlighten.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 419, ¶ 5. Before the World was enlightened by Learning and Philosophy.

1763.  Johnson, Ascham, Wks. IV. 621. To inlighten their minds, and to form their manners.

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Demerara, ii. 28. As much as you please in enlightening those who are unaware of them.

1863.  Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia, 9. The moment they [slaves] are in any degree enlightened, they become unhappy.

1884.  Manch. Exam., 2 May, 4/7. The letter which follows his own … will enlighten him on this point.

  b.  In religious use: To supply with spiritual light.

1577.  trans. Bullinger’s Decades (1592), 517. Blasphemie against the Sonne of man is committed of the ignorant, which are not yet inlightned.

1611.  Bible, Pref., 5. [The Seuentie] were … enlightened with propheticall grace.

1644.  Jus Pop., 4. When Civilitie began to be illightned by Christianitie.

1650.  Baxter, Saints’ R., IV. iv. (1662), 677. That heavenly Light, wherewith your own souls were never illightened.

1876.  Mozley, Univ. Serm., vi. 159. Outward nature cannot of itself enlighten man’s conscience.

  † 6.  Contextually: To revive, exhilarate. (Cf. lighten, brighten, in similar connection.) Obs.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VI. 497. He [Satan] ended, and his words thir drooping chere Enlightn’d.