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Enlighten is a verb that refers to the act of imparting knowledge, understanding, or insight to someone, typically in order to broaden their perspective, dispel ignorance, or bring about a higher level of awareness. It involves shedding light on a particular subject, concept, or situation, thereby enabling individuals to better comprehend or appreciate it.
When someone enlightens another, they provide information, guidance, or clarity on a particular matter, often with the intention of fostering personal growth, intellectual development, or moral consciousness. This can be achieved through various means, such as through education, teaching, mentoring, or simply sharing wisdom and experiences. It involves expanding someone's intellectual horizons, challenging their preconceptions or biases, and illuminating the paths towards truth, fairness, or self-realization.
To enlighten also implies the initiation or promotion of enlightenment, which generally refers to a state of intellectual, spiritual, or philosophical illumination. It encompasses the attainment of knowledge, wisdom, or deeper understanding that liberates the mind from ignorance, enabling individuals to view the world in a more comprehensive, compassionate, or liberated manner.
In summary, to enlighten means to inform, educate, or guide someone towards greater knowledge, understanding, or awareness, often with the aim of promoting personal growth, intellectual development, or moral consciousness. It involves shedding light on a subject or situation to challenge existing beliefs, broaden perspectives, and facilitate the attainment of enlightenment.
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To shed light on; to illuminate; to instruct.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "enlighten" originated from the Late Middle English term "enlihtenen", which was formed by combining the prefix "en-" (meaning "to make, put into") and the Old English word "lihtan" (meaning "to shine, illuminate"). In essence, "enlighten" originally meant "to make light, illuminate". Over time, its meaning evolved and came to connote intellectual or spiritual illumination, representing the enlightenment of the mind.
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
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would have enlightened
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CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
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would have been enlightening
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would have been enlightening
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would have been enlightening
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT
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would enlighten
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
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would be enlightening
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FUTURE
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FUTURE CONTINUOUS
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will be enlightening
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FUTURE PERFECT
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will have enlightened
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FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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will have been enlightening
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IMPERATIVE
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enlighten
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let´s enlighten
to enlighten
PAST CONTINUOUS
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was enlightening
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PAST PARTICIPLE
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PAST PERFECT
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had enlightened
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PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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had been enlightening
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PRESENT
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PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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am enlightening
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PRESENT PARTICIPLE
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PRESENT PERFECT
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have enlightened
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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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have been enlightening
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PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
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SIMPLE PAST
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