Enlighten

Enlighten is a verb meaning to give someone greater knowledge, understanding, or insight, or to illuminate something so that it becomes clearer. It can describe both the act of teaching or informing and the act of sparking spiritual or moral awareness.

Etymology and development: the word is formed from the prefix en- (to cause) and lighten (to make light). It derives from Middle English enlighten, with figurative senses of imparting knowledge or insight appearing in early modern English. The related noun enlightenment and the adjective enlightened share the same root.

Usage and scope: enlighten is typically transitive, used with a direct object such as a person or audience (enlighten someone about a topic, enlighten the readers, enlighten the mind). It can also describe a spiritual or moral awakening (to be enlightened). In modern usage, it conveys clarity, explanation, or illumination beyond mere instruction, and it often has a positive connotation.

Context and related terms: in historical and philosophical contexts, the noun enlightenment refers to the Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement emphasizing reason and inquiry in the 17th and 18th centuries. The adjective enlightened describes someone who has gained insight or a society characterized by education and tolerance. In contemporary discourse, enlighten can also appear in educational, scientific, or organizational settings, where clear communication and explanation are valued.