Enlighten
/ɪnˈlaɪtən/noun
To give someone greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation.
Did you know?The concept of enlightenment has mystical ties to the idea of illumination, where knowledge is seen as a divine light dispelling darkness and ignorance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lewk-
“to shine, be bright”
Old English
Old English
inleohhtan
“to illuminate, to make light”
Middle English
Middle English
enlightenen
“to inform or make clear, especially in moral or spiritual contexts”
15th Century
English
enlighten
“to provide knowledge or insight, often in a spiritual or intellectual sense”