Middle English Dictionary Entry
lightnen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | lightnen v.(2) Also lightenen, lighten, liȝten. |
| Etymology | From lighten v.(2). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To reduce the weight of (sth.), unload; (b) ppl. i)lightned, of persons: cured of a disease; of a person's natural physical power: eased; (c) to cheer (sb., the heart, spirit, etc.); of the heart: be gladdened or cheered; (d) of angels: to descend from heaven; ~ doun; of the Holy Ghost: enter (into sb.); (e) ppl. lightnand, as noun: one who descends to hell.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)160 : Þer watz busy ouer-borde bale to kest, Her bagges & her feþer-beddes & her bryȝt wedes..to lyȝten þat lome.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)73b : To lyghtyn: alleuiare [Monson: or to make lightt].
b
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)644 : Heo was lihtned of hire euel in a luytel stounde.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)106a/b : Þe man was wel liȝtned, & þe hete & þe brennynge wele asslaked.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)166b/b : Kynde..I-lightnede [*Ch.(1): alleged more liȝtly; L alleuiata] or esede schulde þe bettre defie mete.
c
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)100/35 : Lufe..is a lyght byrdyn, þe berar not chargeand bot lightynand [L alleuians].
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)2219 : His hert lightened in hy Blythe for to bee.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)2410 : Sir Aufreyus knew the forster wele, Whos comyng lightned his hert.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)351/45 : While þou singest so sweetly, þe spirit þat suffrith sorowe is liȝtenyd.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)381/16 : In þis songe my soule is ioyeful, and my conscyence liȝtenyd.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)135/11 : When theyr herttes wer sumwhat lyghtened, the kyng said, [etc.].
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)1/7 : Thaire [the birds'] suete songe made my herte to lighten.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)184/109 : This noyse lyghtyns full well myn hart.
d
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)11258 : While this angill tydyng told Othir lyghtynd [Vsp: lighted; Trin-C: liȝten] doun manyfold.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)172 : Þe holy gost shalle liten in the as a shadow.
e
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)27.1 : My god still not fra me; leswhen thou still fra me, and i sall be lyke til lightnand [L descendentibus] in the lake.