English Explanatory Dictionary

alighten

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To alight, to dismount or get down from.
  2. To alight; to land, to descend and rest.
verb
  1. To lighten; to reduce in weight or heaviness.
verb
  1. To make light; to illuminate or brighten.

Pronunciation

/əˈlaɪtən/

Word forms

alighten alightens alightening alightened

Etymology

From Middle English alighten, from a merger of Old English ālīhtan (“to alight, dismount”), from prefix ā- (compare Gothic 𐌿𐍃- (us-), German er- originally meaning "out") + līhtan (“to alight”); and Old English ġelīhtan (“to alight, approach, come, come down, dismount”); equivalent to alight + -en.

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