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单词 brighten
释义

brightenv.

Brit. /ˈbrʌɪtn/, U.S. /ˈbraɪtn/
Forms:

α. Old English beorhneþ (3rd singular present indicative, perhaps transmission error), Old English berehtnia (Northumbrian), Old English berhtnia (Northumbrian), Old English bertnia (Northumbrian).

β. Old English brehtnia (Northumbrian), Middle English brightne, Middle English briȝtene, Middle English briȝtne, 1500s– brighten; also Scottish pre-1700 brichtnyt (past tense), 1800s brechnin (present participle), 1800s brichen, 1800s– brichten.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: bright v., bright adj., -en suffix5.
Etymology: Originally < either bright v. or bright adj. + -en suffix5. In later use probably partly re-formed < bright adj. + -en suffix5. Compare bright v.In Northumbrian Old English the prefixed form gebeorhtnia (compare y- prefix) is also attested and is slightly more common. It is unclear whether the attested prefixed past participle forms (all from Northumbrian sources) represent the prefixed or the unprefixed verb.
1.
a. intransitive. To become bright or brighter; to give off or reflect more light; to shine more; (of the sky, the weather, a day, etc.) to become lighter or more sunny. Often with up.With reference to the weather, also with non-referential it as subject, as in it's brightening (up).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [verb (intransitive)] > brighten
brightenOE
brightlOE
quicken1714
OE Aldhelm Glosses (Brussels 1650) in L. Goossens Old Eng. Glosses of MS Brussels, Royal Libr. 1650 (1974) 188 [Flava auri specie] splendescit : beorhneþ.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9933 Þat castel brightnes..Oueral þat curt on lenght and brede.
1660 P. Nye Serm. Citizens of London 11 As Gold shines and brightens most when in the fire, so doth our Faith.
1709 A. Pope Spring in Poet. Misc.: 6th Pt. 728 The Flow'rs begin to spring, the Skies to brighten.
1867 Ld. Tennyson Window 1 The lights and shadows fly! Yonder it brightens and darkens down on the plain.
1948 Forbes (New S. Wales) Advocate 6 Jan. 5/5 New Year's Day dawned cloudy..and club officials spent the morning re-assuring one another that the weather was sure to brighten up later in the day.
2018 Times (Nexis) 22 Aug. (T2 section) 11 Only at its close did the stage lights brighten slightly to reveal the..singer standing among scattered columns.
b. transitive. To make (an object or place) bright or brighter, esp. by casting light; to illuminate. Also: to cause (a light source) to give off more light. Often with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [verb (transitive)] > brighten
brightOE
polisha1382
schirka1400
sheerc1400
esclarish1546
brighten1567
to set up1588
undarken1598
embright1605
embrighten1610
resplendour1632
undarka1644
elucidate1675
vivify1791
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. f. 24v The Sun, who with his liuely flames at times and places, doth brighten the Starres, and maketh the Moone to shine.
1671 B. Oley in G. Herbert Priest to Temple (ed. 2) To Rdr. sig. a5 As Greater Stars help to Brighten up their less-shining neighbours.
1781 J. Rickman Jrnl. Capt. Cook's Last Voy. Pacific 33 About 12 at noon, the fog began to disperse, a clear sun-shine brightened the horizon, and shewed that we were at no great distance from land.
1890 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 157/1 He got up, and put a pillow at her back, spread a shawl over her knees, and brightened up the fire.
2006 C. J. Petersen House Beautiful's Glass House 112 A ventilating skylight brightens the space and creates the illusion of more headroom in the process.
c. transitive. To cause (metal, stone, wood, leather, etc., or an object made of such material) to reflect more light, typically by rubbing or polishing; to burnish, shine. Often with up.
ΚΠ
1582 F. H. in tr. P. Viret Epist. to Faithfull Ep. Ded. sig. ¶¶4 Perfect yron, bryghtened by the fyle.
1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants x. 71 Polish and brighten the Marble Hearths and Chimeny-pieces with a Clout dipt in Grease.
1906 Saturd. Express (Adelaide) 4 Aug. 6/4 Dark painted wood can be brightened up by rubbing with a rag dipped in either kerosine or oil of turpentine.
1959 Home Encycl. 173 When patent leather shoes begin to look dull and lose their freshness, a few drops of spirit of turpentine applied with a soft cloth will brighten them up so that they look almost like new.
2012 Panama City (Florida) News Herald 6 Oct. f1/4 Brighten brass and copper: To clean up tarnish on pots and pans made with brass or copper, use a small amount of ketchup on a soft cloth.
2.
a. transitive. To make (something, esp. an abstract thing) better or more positive; esp. (in early use) to make more glorious, excellent, or pure, (in later use) to enhance, improve.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > majesty, glory, or grandeur > exaltation or glorification > exalt or glorify [verb (transitive)]
heavec825
higheOE
brightenOE
clarifya1340
glorifya1340
enhancec1374
stellifyc1384
biga1400
exalt?a1400
raisea1400
shrinea1400
to bear up?a1425
enhighc1440
erect?a1475
assumec1503
amount1523
dignifya1530
to set up1535
extol1545
enthronize1547
augment1567
sublimate?1567
sublime1568
assumptc1571
begoda1576
royalize1589
suscitate1598
swell1601
consecrate1605
realize1611
reara1616
sphere1615
ingreata1620
superexalta1626
soara1627
ascend1628
rise1628
embroider1629
apotheose1632
grandize1640
engreaten1641
engrandizea1652
mount1651
intronificate1653
magnificent1656
superposit1661
grandify1665
heroify1677
apotheosize1695
enthrone1699
aggrandize1702
pantheonize1801
hoist1814
princify1847
queen1880
heroize1887
OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: John xii. 28 Pater clarifica tuum nomen..et clarificaui : faeder do berhtne..ðinne noma..& ic berhtnade.
1578 J. Florio Firste Fruites f. 58 Wee learne to amende our lyues, and to brighten our consciences.
?1705 T. D'Urfey Ess. towards Theory of Intelligible World Contents sig. A3 Tincture of Parnassus, for clarifying, brightening and strengthening the Wit.
1843 S. Holme Public Improvem. Liverpool 5 As fire kindles fire, so does intellect brighten intellect.
1979 Bull. Atomic Scientists May 12/1 Token reductions by the United States and Russia would prime the pump in Vienna and brighten the prospects for agreement.
2018 Evening Chron. (Newcastle) (National ed.) (Nexis) 5 Sept. 33 Summer is over, the holidays are done,..and you need something to brighten your day.
b. intransitive. To become better, more excellent, or more positive. Now often with up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (intransitive)] > improve or grow better
betterOE
goodOE
risec1175
mend1546
meliorize1598
to mend one's hand1611
improve1642
meliorate1655
brighten1659
ameliorate1728
to look up1806
to tone up1881
raise1898
graduate1916
to shape up1938
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 567 Every thing brightens, & betters, but the rusty Sailor, Gods mercies & judgments in the Seas do not scour him.
1828 12th Ann. Rep. Soc. Promotion Peace 18 When he arrived at Philadelphia, his prospects brightened.
1904 Machinists' Monthly Jrnl. Jan. 13/1 His memory lives and his fame brightens as the years go by, and the little clay-built cottage near the Brig O'Doon, where he was born has become a shrine.
1933 B. Pym Very Private Eye (1984) 31 When Michael arrived things brightened up a lot.
1995 Financial Times 3 July 22/5 After a difficult start to the year the market has brightened up.
3.
a. transitive. To make (the eyes, eyesight, or another sense) sharper, keener, or more perceptive. Also figurative with reference to intellectual vision or perception.
ΚΠ
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 3357 Smaragdone..Quat berne as beris it him on, it briȝtens his eȝen.
1585 T. Bilson True Difference Christian Subiection iv. 713 Brighten the eyes of our mynde with thy singular light that can not bee couered.
1664 H. Coningsby tr. Boethius Consol. Philos. iv. 124 So like they are unto the Owle, Whose sight Night brightens, Day does foul.
1758 Let. to Sir R——D C——X, on Occasion of Pamphlet 4 One who hath laboured so much and so long, to brighten the Sight, and to strengthen the Intellects of his Countrymen.
1891 J. R. Judd Compl. Syst. Treatm. Care Body 168 Tea and coffee, not too strong, are not bad occasionally, as they stimulate the nervous, making them more active and brightening the senses.
1994 Colorado Springs (Colorado) Gaz. Tel. 18 Sept. a7/2 (advt.) AAA Optical & Hearing. Brighten your sight sharpen your sound.
b. intransitive. Of the eyes, eyesight, or another sense: to become sharper or keener.
ΚΠ
1831 Loyal Reformers' Gaz. 31 Dec. 77 Lo! whilst I look, my vision brightens up apace... How clearly do I see that mountain, with its rocks and rivulets, woods and waterfalls.
1855 R. F. Burton Personal Narr. Pilgrimage to El-Medinah I. viii. 220 Though your mouth glows, and your skin is parched, yet..your lungs are lightened, your sight brightens,..and your spirits become exuberant.
1916 Sunset Apr. 30/3 His eyes brightened enough to discover a steamship apparently hove to, almost in the course of the ‘Chester Maid’.
2015 N. Nkengasong God was African i. 1 The atmosphere was cool and unruffled..and I felt my senses brightening up.
4.
a. transitive. To make (a person, or a person's spirit, mood, etc.) more animated, lively, or cheerful. In later use also: to make (a room, event, situation, etc.) more cheerful or interesting; to liven up. Often with up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > make cheerful [verb (transitive)]
to mend a person's cheera1325
raisec1384
cherishc1400
rehetec1400
blithec1440
cheer1440
lightena1450
light?1473
embellish1481
hearten1524
exhilarate1540
laetificate1547
to cheer up1550
lift1572
to do a person's heart good1575
acheera1592
upcheerc1595
cherry1596
relevate1598
encheer1605
brighten1607
buoy1652
undumpisha1661
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
cheerfulize1781
blithen1824
pearten1827
chirk1843
to chipper up1873
to chirp up188.
to buck up1909
1607 J. Carpenter Plaine Mans Spirituall Plough 164 A bright Sunne in the eternall happinesse, clarifying the minde with gladsome and wholesome light, brightening the minde with vnspeakeable ioy and eternall gladnesse.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 634 Hope elevates, and joy Bright'ns his Crest. View more context for this quotation
1741 S. Richardson Pamela (ed. 2) I. 37 I was brighten'd up at once upon these welcome Words.
1854 Rambler May 473 A sudden strain of music brightens the landscape at which we gaze.
1954 Times 28 Aug. 2/4 (advt.) Original oil paintings, cheerful sunny type brightens any room.
2004 Valley Independent (Monessen, Pa.) 12 July 5 a/3 Our daughter, Elishia, was devastated when her father left [for Iraq]. Seeing him will really brighten her up.
b. intransitive. Of a person, or a person's eyes, spirit, etc.: to become more animated, lively, or cheerful. In later use also of a room, event, situation, etc.: to become more cheerful or interesting. Often with up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] > become cheerful or cheer up
cheer?1553
to look up1600
come1607
to cheer up1620
exhilarate1620
brighten1692
to come to1765
to come about1775
spurk1823
to hearten up1834
to buck up1844
chirk1844
pearten1851
to come around1853
to liven up1863
to chipper up1867
lighten1873
pep1910
to lighten up1911
1692 T. Taylor tr. G. Daniel Voy. World Cartesius ii. 92 Monsieur, you seem something Melancholy, brighten a little, brighten.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II lxxxix. 163 The boy's eyes, which the dull film half glazed, Brighten'd, and for a moment seem'd to roam.
1868 M. Oliphant Brownlows III. xxxv. 84 That morning he was kinder than ever; and the whole party brightened up under his influence.
1902 A. M. Shaw Coast of Freedom xxxi. 433 Footsteps woke her. The fire was dim, but the whole room brightened with the belief that it was Roger.
2012 A. Bracken Darkest Minds (2013) xv. 243 ‘Come on,’ I said, squeezing her hand. ‘Girl time.’ Her face brightened.
5.
a. transitive. To impart a healthy glow to (the complexion, skin, etc.).
ΚΠ
1656 Disc. Auxiliary Beauty 2 Many secret medicaments and close receipts..may either fill and plump their skins, if flat and wrinkled;..or clear and brighten them, if tann'd and freckled.
1851 Brooklyn Daily Eagle 6 Mar. Though the pleasant breezes..should wanton a little freely over the cheeks of the ladies,..it only serves to brighten the complexion.
1945 N.Y. Times 23 May 3/6 Follow the Ayer way to beauty... Flatter with beautifying face cream—brightens the skin—prepares it for make-up.
2018 S. L. Tourles Pure Skin Care v. 145 This treatment, if used repeatedly, will lighten skin discolorations..and will generally brighten a lackluster complexion.
b. intransitive. Of the complexion, skin, etc.: to acquire a healthy glow.
ΚΠ
1773 tr. J. P. Marat Philos. Ess. Man II. iii. ii. 48 In joy, the eyes acquire new lustre, the complexion brightens, the brows become more arched, [etc.]
1957 Life 30 Sept. 56/2 Irritations were promptly relieved while skin brightened and became silky smooth and soft.
2016 Scottish Daily Mail (Nexis) 11 Apr. 46 I dropped over 5st and my complexion brightened, my skin smoothed and my shape changed dramatically.
6.
a. transitive. To make (colour, or a specific colour) more vivid or brilliant; to make (something) more vivid or brilliant in colour; to make more colourful.
ΚΠ
1667 W. Petty in T. Sprat Hist. Royal-Soc. ii. 303 Some of the Dyers Materials are used to bind and strengthen a Colour, some to brighten it, some to give lustre to the stuff, some to discharge and take off the colour.
1805 W. Scott Lay of Last Minstrel ii. xxiv. 52 When the dawn of day Began to brighten Cheviot gray.
1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus iii. vi. 86/1 Brightening London smoke itself into gold vapour.
2010 Ideal Home May 45/1 A cushion in boiled-sweet shades will brighten a sofa.
b. intransitive. To become more vivid or brilliant in colour; to become more colourful; (of colour, or a specific colour) to become more vivid or brilliant.
ΚΠ
1761 M. Cooper Poems Several Occasions 208 When She appear'd..The floweret brighten'd, and the landscape glow'd.
1900 Western Electrician 8 Sept. 155/3 The red brightens by graduations for which no names exist in the colorist's vocabulary.
1983 J. Ortiz y Pino Curandero 9 In the distance, he could see the pale grey sky brighten to a light turquoise.
2018 St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press (Nexis) 22 Aug. Briskly stir-fry the vegetables continuously until their colors brighten.
7. transitive. To make (a flavour or aroma) lighter, crisper, or more tangy; to impart such a flavour to (a dish, drink, etc.), typically by adding citrus or fresh herbs. Often with up.
ΚΠ
1833 Farmers' Reg. Oct. 290/2 The poverty of the circumjacent lands..tends very much to brighten and increase the fine flavour in curing, because the atmosphere of a high, dry, poor country is much sweeter and purer than it can possibly be in a rich country.
1957 Woman's Day (N.Y.) July 3/2 The delicate, fresh-egg flavor is brightened with ham for a subtle taste surprise.
2018 Daily Tel. (National ed.) (Nexis) 7 July (Saturday section) A quick snip of lemon verbena or mint brightens up a gin and tonic easily enough.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2019; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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