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Alight vs Lightened - What's the difference?

alight | lightened |

As verbs the difference between alight and lightened

is that alight is to make light or less heavy; lighten; alleviate or alight can be (with from) to spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount or alight can be to light; light up; illuminate while lightened is (lighten).

As an adjective alight

is lit, on fire, switched on.

alight

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make light or less heavy; lighten; alleviate.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .

    Verb

  • (with from) To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount.
  • Passengers are alighting from the carriage
  • (with on) To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop.
  • A flying bird alights on a tree
    Snow alights on a roof .
  • To come or chance (upon).
  • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .

    Verb

  • To light; light up; illuminate.
  • To set light to; light.
  • Etymology 4

    From (etyl) alight, from (etyl) *. See above.

    Alternative forms

    *

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Lit, on fire, switched on.
  • The sticks were damp and wouldn't catch alight .
  • (figuratively) Lit; on fire, burning.
  • Her face was alight with happiness.
    Usage notes
    Used only as a predicative.

    lightened

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (lighten)

  • lighten

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.
  • To make light or lighter in weight.
  • To make less serious or more cheerful.
  • * Bible, Psalms xxxiv. 5
  • They looked unto him, were lightened .
  • To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.
  • to lighten''' an apartment with lamps or gas; to '''lighten the streets
  • * Dryden
  • A key of fire ran all along the shore, / And lightened all the river with a blaze.
  • To become light or lighter in weight.
  • To become less serious or more cheerful.
  • To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
  • To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to flash.
  • * Shakespeare
  • This dreadful night, / That thunders, lightens , opens graves, and roars / As doth the lion.
  • To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
  • * Shakespeare
  • His eye lightens forth / Controlling majesty.
  • To descend; to light.
  • * Book of Common Prayer
  • O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.
  • To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
  • * Sir J. Davies
  • Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray.

    Conjugation

    (en-conj-simple)

    Derived terms

    * lighten up