Where does “lighten” come from?
Lighten derives from Middle English -en suffixed to light, from Proto-Germanic liuhtijaną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European lewk- meaning to shine or be bright.
lighten (English): To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate; To...
Definitions
- To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate; To...
Ancestry of “lighten”, step by step
lighten traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Light
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Light | A place name |
| 2 | Middle English | light | The radiation which allows for vision by... |
| 3 | Old English | lēoht | luminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent,... |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | leuht | light, bright; light |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | leuhtą | light |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lewktom | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |
via Middle English lightnen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | lightnen | to enlighten, illuminate |