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lightening. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
lightening, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
lightening in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
lightening you have here. The definition of the word
lightening will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
lightening, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology 1
Doublet of lightning.
Verb
lightening
- present participle and gerund of lighten
Noun
lightening (plural lightenings)
- The act or result of making something light or lighter.
1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 134:Bradly did not think of Cora till he picked up her figure ahead of him on the downs, but with that he was aware of a sudden lightening of his spirits, and stepped out faster to overtake her.
- (medicine) The sensation caused by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity before the onset of labour
- (nautical) The removal of cargo (especially crude oil) from a vessel in order to reduce its draft
Etymology 2
Noun
lightening
- (obsolete or proscribed) Alternative form of lightning
Usage notes
Regarded as a misspelling by all modern authorities.
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