lighten

verb11

1. •
   To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.

   • Sorrow can be lightened by being openly brought out.
   • Many hands lighten the workload.
2. •
   To make light or lighter in weight.
3. •
   To become light or lighter in weight.
4. •
   To make less serious or more cheerful.

   • They looked unto him, were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. — 1611
5. •
   To become less serious or more cheerful.
6. •
   To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.

   • to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets
7. •
   To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
8. •
   To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.

   • […] behold his eye, As bright as is the eagle’s, lightens forth Controlling majesty: — 1595
9. •
   To descend; to light.

   • Book of Common Prayer O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.
10. •
    (no longer used) To illuminate with knowledge.

    • O Light which mak’st the Light, which makes the Day, Which setst the Eye without and Mind within, Lighten my spirit with one cleare heavenly ray, Which now to view it selfe doth first begin. — 1599
11. •
    (no longer used) To flash lightning, to give off lightning.

    • Enter the Conjurer; it lightens and thunders […] — 1590