Where does “enlightenment” come from?
enlightenment (English) comes from English enlighten, 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.
enlightenment (English): An act of enlightening, or the state of being enlightened or instructed
Definitions
- An act of enlightening, or the state of being enlightened or instructed
Ancestry of “enlightenment”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | enlighten | To supply with light; To make something clear to... |
| 2 | Middle English | enlightenen | — |
| 3 | Old English | inlīhtan | to illuminate, enlighten |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | inliuhtijaną | to enlighten, illumine |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | liuhtijaną | to give light, shine |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lewḱ- | lynx |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |