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Illuminate vs Lightening - What's the difference?

illuminate | lightening |

As verbs the difference between illuminate and lightening

is that illuminate is to shine light on something while lightening is present participle of lang=en.

As nouns the difference between illuminate and lightening

is that illuminate is someone thought to have an unusual degree of enlightenment while lightening is the sensation caused by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity before the onset of labour.

As an adjective illuminate

is enlightened.

illuminate

English

Verb

(illuminat)
  • To shine light on something.
  • To decorate something with lights.
  • To clarify or make something understandable.
  • To decorate the page of a manuscript book with ornamental designs.
  • (figurative) To make spectacular.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=June 2 , author= Phil McNulty , title=England 1-0 Belgium , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Hodgson's approach may not illuminate proceedings in Poland and Ukraine but early evidence suggests they will be tough to break down.}}
  • To glow; to light up.
  • * 1994 , Sylvia Carlson, ?Verne Carlson, Professional Cameraman's Handbook (ISBN 024080080X), page 494:
  • Red diode in button illuminates when camera runs at speed set in five-digit speed selector.
  • * 2011'/'''2012 , "Spectrum", written by Florence Welch and Paul Epworth, performed by (Florence and the Machine), released on the album ''Ceremonials (2011):
  • Say my name / and every color illuminates. / We are shining /
  • To be exposed to light.
  • (military) To direct a (radar) beam toward.
  • Synonyms

    * *

    Derived terms

    * transilluminate * illuminator

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone thought to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) enlightened
  • (Bishop Hall)
    ----

    lightening

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine) The sensation caused by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity before the onset of labour
  • (nautical) The removal of cargo (especially crude oil) from a vessel in order to reduce its draft