Where does “enlighten” come from?
enlighten (English) comes from Middle English enlightenen, from Old English inlīhtan, from Proto-Germanic inliuhtijaną, from Proto-Germanic liuhtijaną, from Proto-Indo-European lewḱ-, from Proto-Indo-European lewk- — bright; to shine; to see.
enlighten (English): To supply with light; To make something clear to...
Definitions
- To supply with light; To make something clear to...
Ancestry of “enlighten”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | enlightenen | — |
| 2 | Old English | inlīhtan | to illuminate, enlighten |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | inliuhtijaną | to enlighten, illumine |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | liuhtijaną | to give light, shine |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | lewḱ- | lynx |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |
Words derived from “enlighten”