lightening

1. To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.

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

2. To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
3. To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to flash.
4. To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
5. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.

1. To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.

   Sorrow can be lightened by being openly brought out.

2. To make light or lighter in weight.
3. To make less serious or more cheerful.
4. To become light or lighter in weight.
5. To become less serious or more cheerful.

verb

To descend; to light.

1. The sensation caused by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity before the onset of labour
2. The removal of cargo (especially crude oil) from a vessel in order to reduce its draft