lightening

[ lahyt-n-ing ]

/ ˈlaɪt n ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lightening ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Medicine/Medical.

the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, occurring toward the end of pregnancy, changing the contour of the abdomen and facilitating breathing by lessening pressure under the diaphragm.

Nearby words

Origin of lightening

First recorded in 1520–30; lighten² + -ing¹

Can be confusedlightening lightning

Definition for lightening (2 of 3)

lighten

[ lahyt-n ]

/ ˈlaɪt n /

verb (used without object)

to become lighter or less dark; brighten: The sky lightened after the storm.

to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features: Her face lightened when she heard the good news.

to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject): It thundered and lightened for hours.

Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright: steel blades lightening in the sun.

verb (used with object)

to give light to; illuminate: A full moon lightened the road.

to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.): A large smile lightened his face.

to make lighter or less dark: Add white to lighten the paint.

Obsolete. enlighten.

Obsolete. to flash or emit like lightning (usually followed by out, forth, or down): eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.

Origin of lighten

1300–50; Middle English lightnen; see light¹, -en¹

Related formslight·en·er, noun

Definition for lightening (3 of 3)

lighten

[ lahyt-n ]

/ ˈlaɪt n /

verb (used with object)

to make lighter in weight: to lighten the load on a truck.

to lessen the load of or upon: to lighten a cargo ship.

to make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate: to lighten taxes; to lighten someone's cares.

to cheer or gladden: Such news lightens my heart.

verb (used without object)

to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up: Border inspections have lightened recently.

to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.: His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.

to become less gloomy; perk up: People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.

Origin of lighten

1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; see light², -en¹

SYNONYMS FOR lighten

3 ease, lessen, reduce.

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ANTONYMS FOR lighten

3 aggravate.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lightening

In recent times, Zwarte Piet has become a lightening rod for issues of Dutch identity and multicultural tolerance.
Amsterdam’s Racist Black Pete Parade Under Fire|Cíntia Taylor|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He believes that the plane was hit by a bolt of lightening and went down in deep water.
Missoni Family: Chance He’s Alive|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Buckling down to tie-up loose ends is key to lightening your mental load.
The Stars Predict Your Week|Starsky + Cox|October 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
By five in the morning, the sky was lightening, and we trudged back toward Christopher Street, where I could catch a train home.
The Amazing Superheroes of New York City|Matthew Shaer|August 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The terrible day wore on, without any lightening of the tempest, till noon, when the wind suddenly fell to a calm.
The Cruise of the Cachalot|Frank T. Bullen
Ranch work was growing heavier each year in proportion to the lightening of range work.
The Flying U's Last Stand|B. M. Bower
Tom felt the lightening of his burden to some extent; but beyond was the alternative of suffering, or causing suffering.
The Quickening|Francis Lynde
I mean the elm that was struck by lightening last spring at the corner of the paddock.
Rich Relatives|Compton Mackenzie
Rapid marching and lightening of knapsacks has reduced the boys' underwear; few of them have but the one shirt, which is in use.
Company G|A. R. (Albert Rowe) Barlow

British Dictionary definitions for lightening (1 of 3)

lightening

/ (ˈlaɪtənɪŋ) /

noun

obstetrics the sensation, experienced by many women late in pregnancy when the head of the fetus enters the pelvis, of a reduction in pressure on the diaphragm, making it easier to breathe

British Dictionary definitions for lightening (2 of 3)

lighten

/ (ˈlaɪtən) /

verb

to become or make light

(intr) to shine; glow

(intr) (of lightning) to flash

(tr) an archaic word for enlighten

British Dictionary definitions for lightening (3 of 3)

lighten

/ (ˈlaɪtən) /

verb

to make or become less heavy

to make or become less burdensome or oppressive; mitigate

to make or become more cheerful or lively

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lightening (1 of 3)

lightening

"the shedding of light," mid-14c., verbal noun from lighten (v.2). Meaning "alleviation of weight" (literal and figurative) is from 1520s, from lighten (v.1).

Word Origin and History for lightening (1 of 3)

lighten

v.1

"to make less heavy," figuratively "to make cheerful," mid-14c., from light (adj.1) + -en (1). Related: Lightened; lightening.

Word Origin and History for lightening (2 of 3)

lighten

v.2

"shed light upon, illuminate, brighten," early 14c., from light (n.) -en (1). Meaning "to grow brighter" is late 14c. Of faces, expressions, etc., from 1795. Related: Lightened; lightening.

Medicine definitions for lightening

lightening

[ līt′n-ĭng ]

n.

The sensation of decreased abdominal distention during the latter weeks of pregnancy following the descent of the fetal head into the pelvic inlet.

lightening

noun Medicine/Medical.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of lightening

Definition for lightening (2 of 3)

lighten

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Origin of lighten

Definition for lightening (3 of 3)

lighten

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of lighten

Examples from the Web for lightening

British Dictionary definitions for lightening (1 of 3)

lightening

noun

British Dictionary definitions for lightening (2 of 3)

lighten

verb

British Dictionary definitions for lightening (3 of 3)

lighten

verb

Word Origin and History for lightening (1 of 3)

lightening

Word Origin and History for lightening (1 of 3)

lighten

Word Origin and History for lightening (2 of 3)

lighten

Medicine definitions for lightening

lightening

n.