'Enlighten' definitions:
Definition of 'enlighten'
(from WordNet)
verb
Make understand; "Can you enlighten me--I don't understand this proposal" [syn: enlighten, edify]
verb
Give spiritual insight to; in religion [syn: enlighten, irradiate]
verb
Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear; "Could you clarify these remarks?"; "Clear up the question of who is at fault" [syn: clear, clear up, shed light on, crystallize, crystallise, crystalize, crystalise, straighten out, sort out, enlighten, illuminate, elucidate]
Definition of 'Enlighten'
From: GCIDE
- Enlighten \En*light"en\, v. t. [Pref. en- + lighten: cf. AS. inl[imac]htan. Cf. Enlight.]
- 1. To supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth. [1913 Webster]
- His lightnings enlightened the world. --Ps. xcvii. 4. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding. [1913 Webster]
- The conscience enlightened by the Word and Spirit of God. --Trench. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'enlighten'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- account for,
- acculturate,
- acquaint,
- advance,
- advertise,
- advertise of,
- advise,
- allegorize,
- ameliorate,
- amend,
- apprise,
- awaken,
- beacon,
- better,
- boost,
- break the spell,
- brief,
- brighten,
- brighten up,
- bring forward,
- bring word,
- broaden the mind,
- burst the bubble,
- catechize,
- civilize,
- clarify,
- clear up,
- coach,
- communicate,
- correct,
- counsel,
- crack,
- debunk,
- decipher,
- demonstrate,
- demythologize,
- direct,
- disabuse,
- disappoint,
- disclose,
- disenchant,
- disillude,
- disillusion,
- disillusionize,
- edify,
- educate,
- elevate,
- elucidate,
- emend,
- enhance,
- enrich,
- euhemerize,
- exemplify,
- explain,
- explain away,
- explicate,
- expose,
- exposit,
- expound,
- familiarize,
- fatten,
- favor,
- flood with light,
- floodlight,
- forward,
- foster,
- give instruction,
- give lessons in,
- give notice,
- give reason for,
- give the facts,
- give the meaning,
- give word,
- go straight,
- ground,
- guide,
- highlight,
- illume,
- illuminate,
- illumine,
- illustrate,
- improve,
- improve upon,
- inform,
- instruct,
- irradiate,
- lard,
- leave word,
- let down easy,
- let in on,
- let know,
- lift,
- light,
- light up,
- lighten,
- luminate,
- make an improvement,
- make clear,
- make plain,
- meliorate,
- mend,
- mention to,
- notify,
- nurture,
- open the eyes,
- overshine,
- popularize,
- prick the bubble,
- promote,
- put straight,
- raise,
- rationalize,
- reeducate,
- refine upon,
- reform,
- relume,
- relumine,
- report,
- school,
- send word,
- serve notice,
- set right,
- set straight,
- sharpen the wits,
- shed light upon,
- shine upon,
- show,
- show how,
- show the way,
- show up,
- simplify,
- socialize,
- solve,
- speak,
- spell out,
- spotlight,
- straighten out,
- teach,
- teach a lesson,
- teach the rudiments,
- tell,
- tell the truth,
- throw light upon,
- train,
- transfigure,
- transform,
- tutor,
- unblindfold,
- uncharm,
- undeceive,
- unfold,
- unlock,
- unravel,
- unspell,
- upgrade,
- uplift,
- verse,
- wake up