enlighten

1 make understand; "Can you enlighten me--I don't understand this proposal" [syn: edify]

2 give spiritual insight to; in religion [syn: irradiate]

3 make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear; "Could you clarify these remarks?"; "Clear up the question of who is at fault" [syn: clear, clear up, shed light on, crystallize, crystallise, crystalize, crystalise, straighten out, sort out, illuminate, elucidate]

English

Etymology

Uncertain; any of the following are possible ways in which enlighten was formed:

• light + en- -en, intensifying verbal circumfix;
• originally a by-form of inlighten, itself derived from the obsolete inlight + -en; or,
• in- or en- + lighten.

Verb

1. To supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth.
2. To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding.

Translations

Antonyms

• endarken

References

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