释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024light•en1 /ˈlaɪtən/USA pronunciation v. - to (cause to) become lighter or less dark;
brighten: [no object]The sky lightened at dawn.[~ + object]The sun lightened her hair. light•en2 /ˈlaɪtən/USA pronunciation v. - to make lighter in weight:[~ + object]They lightened the sinking lifeboat by throwing off extra weight.
- to (cause to) become less of a burden: [~ + object]to lighten taxes.[no object]Our responsibilities have begun to lighten somewhat.
- to (cause to) become cheery or glad: [~ + object]Such news lightens my heart.[no object]His heart lightened at the thought.
- lighten up, to (cause to) become less serious or earnest: [no object]needs to lighten up.[~ + object + up]Only she can lighten him up.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024light•en1 (līt′n),USA pronunciation v.i. - to become lighter or less dark;
brighten:The sky lightened after the storm. - to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features:Her face lightened when she heard the good news.
- to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject):It thundered and lightened for hours.
- [Archaic.]to shine, gleam, or be bright:steel blades lightening in the sun.
v.t. - to give light to;
illuminate:A full moon lightened the road. - to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.):A large smile lightened his face.
- to make lighter or less dark:Add white to lighten the paint.
- [Obs.]enlighten.
- [Obs.]to flash or emit like lightning (usually fol. by out, forth, or down):eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.
- 1300–50; Middle English lightnen; see light1, -en1
light′en•er, n. light•en2 (līt′n),USA pronunciation v.t. - to make lighter in weight:to lighten the load on a truck.
- to lessen the load of or upon:to lighten a cargo ship.
- to make less burdensome or oppressive;
alleviate; mitigate:to lighten taxes; to lighten someone's cares. - to cheer or gladden:Such news lightens my heart.
v.i. - to become less severe, stringent, or harsh;
ease up:Border inspections have lightened recently. - to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.:His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.
- to become less gloomy;
perk up:People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.
- 1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; see light2, -en1
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ease, lessen, reduce.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged aggravate.
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