LIGHTENING

To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.

"to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets"

To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.

To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to flash.

To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.

"Sorrow can be lightened by being openly brought out."

To make light or lighter in weight.

To make less serious or more cheerful.

To descend; to light.

The sensation caused by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity before the onset of labour

The removal of cargo (especially crude oil) from a vessel in order to reduce its draft