brighteningn.
/ˈbrʌɪtn̩ɪŋ/, /ˈbrʌɪtnɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈbraɪtnɪŋ/, /ˈbraɪtn̩ɪŋ/ 1. The action of increasing the lustre or brightness of a substance, object, etc.; any of various processes used to achieve this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [noun] > vividness or brightness > brightening
sharping1398
brighteninga1450
a1450 tr. Bk. Tribulation (Bodl.) (1983) 63 (MED) The tribulacions purgen the good folke in thilke manere that the fyle purgeth the yren, in scouryng and in brightnyng.
1676 E. Coles Eng. Dict. Coloration, the brightning of [obscured] gold or Silver.
1778 J. Aikin tr. A. Baumé Man. Chem. 167 On pouring marine acid to the precipitate thus obtained, it immediately acquires a fine blue colour. This is called the brightening of Prussian blue.
1879 G. Gladstone Calico Printing in Cassell's Techn. Educator I. 198/2 Brightening..is for the purpose of bringing up the colours to their full brilliance..This is attained by passing the goods through a soap bath two or more times.
1984 W. C. Cochran in L. J. Durney Electroplating Engin. Handbk. (ed. 4) xiii. 399/1 In bright anodizing, chemical or electrolytic brightening is used in place of etching.
2007 A. Miettinen-Oinonen in J. Polaina & A. P. MacCabe Industr. Enzymes iv. 51 In the detergent industry cellulases are used to provide cleaning and fabric-care benefits such as the brightening of colour in faded garments by removing fuzz.
2. The action of becoming brighter, or of giving off or reflecting more light; lightening; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [noun] > brightening
brightening1552
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Bryghtnyng, or brandishynge, vibratio.
1669 J. Harrington Holy Oyl 384 But whence this brightning, (hark) my moan Is answer'd by a Thunders groan; Wrath, through that Planet burns.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. II. 1364/2 Lustering..2. (Metallurgy) The brightening of metal in the crucible at the moment of reaching its point of purity.
1958 A. Marshack World in Space vi. 109 A flare is a sudden brightening of some area of the sun, indicating..the pouring forth of both radiation and particles.
2016 Austral. Financial Rev. (Nexis) 13 May (Life & Leisure section) 7 The seemingly random dimming and brightening of the screen can lead to nausea.
3. The action or process of becoming or making something clearer, more excellent, more positive, more cheerful, etc.; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [noun] > action of cheering
relevation?1418
heartening1534
cheering1580
enliving1602
brightening1642
enlivening1674
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > [noun] > brilliancy of wit or language > product of brilliancy
brightening1712
1642 T. Case Gods Waiting 14 The improvement, exercise and brightning of their graces.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 461. ⁋4 Bestow upon it a few Brightnings from your Genius.
1824 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 58 The brightening of the gloomiest prospects, which pass before the eyes of the patriot and philanthropist.
1928 N. Shepherd Quarry Wood xv. 151 When the night of the dance arrived, she watched Martha don the lustre frock with a brightening of the eye.
2015 Diverse 23 Apr. 22/1 The fall of the Berlin Wall also represented..the brightening of prospects for its citizens.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
brighteningadj.
/ˈbrʌɪtn̩ɪŋ/, /ˈbrʌɪtnɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈbraɪtn̩ɪŋ/, /ˈbraɪtnɪŋ/ 1.
a. That makes something appear bright or brighter (in various senses); esp. that causes something to give off or reflect more light, or makes something more luminous, or makes colour more vibrant. Now chiefly as the second element in objective compounds such as skin-brightening.Recorded earliest in figurative context.
ΚΠ
1587 M. Kyffin Blessednes of Brytaine sig. A4 As Shyning Sunne..foorth recalles eche thing, from shiv'ring Shrowds, So hath our Second Sunne.., by brightning Beames, outcleerd erronious Clouds.
a1655 R. Robinson Christ All (1656) 494 Oyntment is of a shining nature. It hath a brightning and beautifying vertue.
1855 Brit. Patent 27 2 When dry, the fabrics are washed in cold water, and then passed through a brightening mixture.
1941 Chain Store Age Mar. 35/1 Blondes are again in fashion and blond and brightening lotions, therefore, sell well.
2005 Health Plus Jan. 36/1 This skincare classic will give your complexion an instant pep-me-up, thanks to the skin-brightening algae and antioxidant olive extracts.
b. That makes something clearer, more excellent, more positive, etc.; enlightening; enhancing, improving; cheering, enlivening. Chiefly (and recorded earliest) as the second element in objective compounds such as mood-brightening.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheering or suggestive of cheerfulness
comfortative1377
comfortive1377
cheerfula1440
comfortablec1460
cheering1549
sunny1565
sunshine1594
heartsome1596
sprightly1598
livening1605
brightening1642
exhilarating1644
encheering1652
cheery1655
spiriting1671
sunshiny1686
riant1720
sonsy1721
genial1747
cheerfulizing1840
cheer-up1846
enlivening1862
exhilarative1864
exhilarant1866
exhilaratory1871
heartening1895
1642 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 34 Some eye-brightning electuary of knowledge, and foresight.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 346 Each brightning grace the genuine Greek confess'd.
1828 Spirit of Eng. Mag. (Boston, Mass.) 1 Oct. 17/1 The few soul-brightening, soul-strengthening suns of youth rolled on.
2009 Daily Tel. 13 May 29/1 A breezy television ad..combined with mood-brightening fashion offerings have restored Next as a ‘go-to’ brand.
2.
a. That becomes visually bright or brighter (in various senses); that gives off or reflects more light; that becomes more luminous; that becomes more vibrant in colour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adjective] > brightening
brightening1651
1651 J. Collier tr. St. Augustine in tr. J. A. Comenius Patterne Universall Knowl. 108 The glistering of the morning, and the shine of the brightning Heaven.
1759 J. Ogilvie Day of Judgment (ed. 2) i. 14 The brightning steel's refulgent gleam.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 75 Clear and sharp against the brightening sky.
1969 Jrnl. Brit. Astron. Assoc. 79 486 (heading) The Meteoroid..began as a rapidly brightening point of light which expanded in size and developed a tail.
2008 Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, Indiana) 8 Feb. a4/3 After August comes the cool crispness and brightening colors of September.
b. That becomes clearer, more excellent, more positive, etc.; that is improving; that becomes more cheerful or animated.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheerful and lively > becoming
brightening1720
livening1866
1720 D. Malloch in Edinb. Misc. 261 Still with the Day her brightning Graces grow, And rising Beauties on fresh Beauties glow.
1810 R. Southey Curse of Kehama xxii. 234 A smile Dawn'd in his brightening countenance.
1884 Athenæum 1 Mar. 272/3 The pecuniary position of Charles was hardly adequate to his otherwise brightening prospects.
2014 Guardian (Nexis) 22 Feb. 36 A brightening mood among UK households is translating into higher consumer spending.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2019; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.a1450adj.1587