enlighten Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make understand
    edify.
    • Can you enlighten me--I don't understand this proposal
  2. verb give spiritual insight to; in religion
    irradiate.
  3. verb make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
    crystallise; illuminate; straighten out; elucidate; clear; clear up; crystallize; sort out; crystalise; shed light on; crystalize.
    • Could you clarify these remarks?
    • Clear up the question of who is at fault

WordNet

En*light"en transitive verb
Etymology
Pref. en- + lighten: cf. AS. inlihtan. Cf. Enlight.
Definitions
  1. To supply with light; to illuminate; as, the sun enlightens the earth.
    His lightnings enlightened the world. Ps. xcvii. 4.
  2. To make clear to the intellect or conscience; to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon; to furnish with increase of knowledge; to instruct; as, to enlighten the mind or understanding.
    The conscience enlightened by the Word and Spirit of God. Trench.

Webster 1913