Library / English Dictionary

ENLIGHTEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear

Example:

Clear up the question of who is at fault

Synonyms:

clear; clear up; crystalise; crystalize; crystallise; crystallize; elucidate; enlighten; illuminate; shed light on; sort out; straighten out

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "enlighten" is one way to...):

clarify; clear up; elucidate (make clear and (more) comprehensible)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Give spiritual insight to; in religion

Synonyms:

enlighten; irradiate

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "enlighten" is one way to...):

prophesy; vaticinate (predict or reveal through, or as if through, divine inspiration)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make understand

Example:

Can you enlighten me--I don't understand this proposal

Synonyms:

edify; enlighten

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "enlighten" is one way to...):

instruct; learn; teach (impart skills or knowledge to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to enlighten Sue

Derivation:

enlightenment (education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge)

Credits

 Context examples: 

When she had finished, and we were going out to the schoolroom, I was much surprised to hear Mr. Wickfield, in bidding her good morning, address her as Mrs. Strong; and I was wondering could she be Doctor Strong's son's wife, or could she be Mrs. Doctor Strong, when Doctor Strong himself unconsciously enlightened me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Feelings rather natural than heroic possessed her; instead of considering her own dignity injured by this ready condemnation—instead of proudly resolving, in conscious innocence, to show her resentment towards him who could harbour a doubt of it, to leave to him all the trouble of seeking an explanation, and to enlighten him on the past only by avoiding his sight, or flirting with somebody else—she took to herself all the shame of misconduct, or at least of its appearance, and was only eager for an opportunity of explaining its cause.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The excellent papa labored under the delusion that he was, and reveled in long discussions with the kindred spirit, till a chance remark of his more observing grandson suddenly enlightened him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I mean you to accompany me to Millcote this morning; and while you prepare for the drive, I will enlighten the old lady's understanding.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Another storm enlightened Jura with faint flashes; and another darkened and sometimes disclosed the Môle, a peaked mountain to the east of the lake.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

You’ve had more than two years of experience with Saturn, and the end part is generally not nearly as challenging because Saturn has already enlightened you—you now have experience under your belt.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

It was all known at the Parsonage, where he loved to talk over the future with both his sisters, and it would be rather gratifying to him to have enlightened witnesses of the progress of his success.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I have read your letters to poor Lucy, and know how good you are and how your husband suffer; so I pray you, if it may be, enlighten him not, lest it may harm.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Jo behaved herself with exemplary propriety, and when Amy was happily surrounded by her guard of honor, Jo circulated about the Hall, picking up various bits of gossip, which enlightened her upon the subject of the Chester change of base.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I rose from the thanksgiving—took a resolve—and lay down, unscared, enlightened—eager but for the daylight.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)