† 1. trans. To give life to; to bring or restore to life; to animate (as the soul the body). Obs.
1633. Earl Manch., Al Mondo (1636), 14–5. It [Death] is but a departed breath from dead earth, inlivened at first by breath cast upon it.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 28. That ghostly being which enlivens the body of man.
1681. Chetham, Angler’s Vade-m., xxxviii. § 12 (1689), 248. Leaving it [i.e., spawn] to be enlivened by the sun’s heat.
1732. Wesley, Wks. (1872), VII. 478. When God hath raised this body, he can enliven it with the same soul that inhabited it before.
2. To give fuller life to; to animate, inspirit, invigorate physically or spiritually; to quicken (feelings), stimulate (trade, etc.).
1644–52. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., VII. iv. (1821), 333. The Divinity derives itself into the souls of men, enlivening and transforming them into its own likeness.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. cxix. 29. Paraphr. 598. To inliven me to a pious virtuous life.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 127. There is no way … to inliven Trade … but this way.
1679. Plot, Staffordsh. (1686), 384. For enlivening old trees.
1684. Bunyan, Pilgr., II. 51. They came out of that Bath … much enlivened and strengthened in their Joynts.
1726. Swift, Th. Various Subj., Wks. 1774, IV. 406 (J.). A small quantity of fresh coals … very much enlivens it [the fire].
1799. Dundas, in J. Owen, Wellesley’s Disp., 640. The bullion which has been sent from this country … has tended to enliven your circulation.
1827. C. Bridges, Expos. Ps. cxix. (1830), 15. What is the motive that enlivens the believer in the pursuit of more extended spiritual knowledge?
3. To make ‘lively’ or cheerful, cheer, exhilarate: to impart liveliness to, relieve the monotony of, diversify agreeably (circumstances, conditions); to brighten, render cheerful in appearance.
1691. Ray, Creation (1714), 179. Their eminent Ends and Uses in illuminating and enlivening the Planets.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 10, ¶ 1. I shall endeavour to enliven Morality with Wit.
1730. Thomson, Autumn, 27. A serener blue With golden light enlivened.
1760. J. Scott, Elegy, i. Poet. Wks. (1786), 25. The Voice of Song [shall] enliven ev’ry Shade.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina (1784), II. i. 3. Our house has been enlivened to-day by the arrival of a London visitor.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., 516. He is a sage to consult, rather than a companion to enliven.
1858. Doran, Crt. Fools, 61. The Jews themselves employed jesters to enliven their own wedding feasts.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 504. A picture, which is well drawn in outline, but is not yet enlivened by colour.
Hence Enlivened ppl. a.; Enlivener, he who or that which enlivens.
1640. W. Bridge, True Souldiers Convoy, 9. Enmity being nothing els but enlivened contrariety.
1665. Cowley, Pindar. Odes, Destiny, i. Lo, of themselves th’enlivened chesmen move.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 793. This Enlivened Terrestrial Body, or Mortal man.
1663. Boyle, Consid. Exper. & Nat. Philos., I. ii. 43. He calls Him the Preserver, or … the enlivener of them all.
1774. Mrs. Delany, Corr., Ser. II. II. 34. The deer … are beautiful enliveners of every scene.
1821. Blackw. Mag., X. 332/1. He was the enlivener and inspiriter of conversation.
1874. Hartwig, Aerial W., iv. 38. Echo, the charming enlivener of the silent glen.
