Brighten vs Brightening - What's the difference?
brighten | brightening |
(lb) To make bright or brighter in color.
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(lb) To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to
*(Jonathan Swift) (1667–1745)
*:The present queen would brighten her character, if she would exert her authority to instill virtues into her people.
To make more cheerful and pleasant; to enliven
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*(Ambrose Philips) (1674-1749)
*:An ecstasy, which mothers only feel, / Plays round my heart and brightens all my sorrow.
(lb) To grow bright, or more bright in color; to clear up
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(lb) To become brighter or more cheerful in mood
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*:Then his sallow face brightened , for the hall had been carefully furnished, and was very clean. ¶ There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock-paper on the walls.
To make acute or witty; to enliven.
:(Johnson)
