† 1. That has been made luminous; blazing, light-giving. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Fouldroyer, to blast with lightning, or (inlightened) thunderbolts.
1803. Pigott, in Phil. Trans., XCV. 152. The enlightened stars are those that have already attained the highest degree of perfection.
2. That receives light from a luminous object; illuminated.
1638. Wilkins, New World, v. (1707), 39. The nearer any enlightened Body comes to the Light.
1789. Herschel, Saturn, in Phil. Trans., LXXX. 8. We must … see the rounding part of the enlightened edge.
1821. Craig, Lect. Drawing, iv. 236. Part of the enlightened surface of the flesh will shew through the shadow of the skin.
3. Possessed of mental light; instructed, well-informed; free from prejudices or superstition.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., I. § 9. The select spirits of this enlightened age.
1814. D’Israeli, Quarrels Auth. (1867), 448. Many enlightened bishops sided with the philosopher [Hobbes].
1868. Peard, Water-Farm., vii. 80. The most enlightened culture was bestowed on the bed of the Galway rivers.
Hence Enlightenedness.
1847. Southey, Doctor, VI. 373. Where your enlightenedness (if there be such a word) consists … it would puzzle the Devil to tell.
