enlighten

== English == === Etymology === Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from inlighten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhtan (“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and lightnen (“to enlighten, illuminate”) (equivalent to light +‎ -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten (“to enlighten, inform”), Old High German inliuhten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 (inliuhtjan, “to enlighten, illuminate”). More at inlight, -en. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɪnˈlaɪtən/, /ənˈlaɪtən/, /ɛnˈlaɪtən/ Rhymes: -aɪtən Hyphenation: en‧light‧en === Verb === enlighten (third-person singular simple present enlightens, present participle enlightening, simple past and past participle enlightened) (transitive) To supply with light. Synonyms: illumine, illuminate; see also Thesaurus:illuminate Antonym: endarken (transitive, figurative) To make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to. Synonyms: apprise, clarify, explain, notify, inform, edify ==== Usage notes ==== This term often carries a negative connotation when someone is underscoring what they see as the hubris of the would-be enlighteners. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== elucidate lighten ==== Translations ====