lighten etymology

Etymology:

Old English lihtan ("be bright, shine"), from Proto-Germanic *lihtaną ("to give light").

Meaning:

To make or become brighter, less dark, or less heavy.

Origin:

The word "lighten" has several distinct origins, depending on its specific meaning:

• To make or become brighter: This meaning derives directly from the Old English verb "lihtan," which means "to give light."
• To reduce in weight or burden: This meaning comes from the Proto-Germanic verb "lihtaną," which also means "to make light" or "to relieve."
• To give relief from pain or distress: This meaning is a metaphorical extension of the previous meaning, as "lightening" a burden can also bring relief.
• To make less dark or gloomy: This meaning is also a metaphorical extension of the primary meaning of "to give light."
• To become less intense or severe: This meaning is derived from the verb "lighten" in the sense of "to reduce in weight or burden." When something becomes less intense, it can be considered to be "lightened."

lighten relate terms

• light

  Etymology The word light comes from the Old English word liht meaning bright or

• enlighten

  Etymology French enlightener Latin illuminare to light up to illumine Proto Indo

• lighten

  Etymology Old English lihtan be bright shine from Proto Germanic lihtaną to gi

• enlightened

  Etymology enlight from Old French enluminer meaning to illuminate or brighten

• relieve

  Etymology Old French relever Latin relevare re back or again levare to lif

• brighten

  Etymology Old English بريhten to draw to smear to make clear Proto West Ge

• elevation

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense height or altitude above sea level

• elevate

  Etymology The word elevate comes from the Latin verb elevo meaning to lift up rai

• jettison

  Etymology Late Latin jectitare to throw cast out frequentative of Latin jacere to

• jetsam

  Etymology Middle English jetteson gettisoun Old English ġiet meaning anything c

• allay

  Etymology The word allay comes from the Old English word alegian meaning to reliev

• darken

  Etymology Darken comes from the Old English word deorc meaning dark obscure or evil

• cheer

  Etymology The word cheer has its roots in the Middle English word chere which in tu

• mitigate

  Etymology The word mitigate comes from the Latin word mitigare which means to make