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lightening

[lahyt-n-ing]

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Lightening Definition Dictionary.com Find Definitions For Any Word.Get Your Free Dictionary.com Toolbar.

noun Medicine/Medical.

the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, occurring toward the end of pregnancy, changing the contour of the abdomen and facilitating breathing by lessening pressure under the diaphragm.

Origin:
1520–30; lighten² + -ing¹

Can be confused: lightening, lightning.

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Lightening is always a great word to know.

So is pollex. Does it mean:

the flat, movable bone at the front of the knee; kneecap.

the innermost digit of the forelimb; thumb.

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Example Sentences

Skin lightening products, which even out skin color and diminish dark spots, have flooded the marketplace.

She learned it jumping up and down on the bed in her glow in the dark lightening bolt boxer shorts.

The air felt balmy and fresh, nothing but dark blue calm sea and lightening sky.

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Skin lightening products, which even out skin color and diminish dark spots, have flooded the marketplace.

She learned it jumping up and down on the bed in her glow in the dark lightening bolt boxer shorts.

The air felt balmy and fresh, nothing but dark blue calm sea and lightening sky.

Lightening the bat does increase the probability that you will hit it properly, however.

Clouds, farm building, lightening and wheat capture the mood.

No, of course it's not going to be some giant caucasion male in the sky with a white beard who brandishes lightening bolts.

Small efforts can go a long way toward comforting co-workers and lightening the mood.

It goes far in lightening the mood of the whole house.

Ionizing radiation from lightening storms may be possible.

His flattened butt was emblazoned with metallic gold lightening bolts.

So the beauty scientists came up with a whole new chemistry for getting the lightening molecules inside the hair.

Hughto models shapes by lightening and darkening body color, rather than by introducing contrasting or complementary hues.

The goal is to increase the chances that students will succeed, and for the majority of them that means lightening the load.

Instead, private space ventures have focused on lightening the payload and rocket and on increasing reliability.

Over-the-counter creams are available for lightening the skin.

The travel industry has come to specialize in concocting schemes that promise to speed us on our way by lightening our wallets.

Sometimes it is only a subtle lightening of skin color.

And it would probably be at night, in a storm with some lightening thrown in for a bonus distraction.

If it does not, the scavenger may actually save you money by lightening the load.

The effect is a lightening of fit, color and political agenda.

Restaurants and food companies are lightening recipes and portion sizes.

Lightening up today's minimalist fashion scene, some women are wearing whimsical toy snakes and boas as cuddly scarves.

But she asked committee members to lobby for a lightening of the residency requirement.

Bertelli moves at lightening speed," said one industry source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged

verb (used without object)

to become lighter or less dark; brighten: The sky lightened after the storm.

to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features: Her face lightened when she heard the good news.

to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject): It thundered and lightened for hours.

Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright: steel blades lightening in the sun.

verb (used with object)

to give light to; illuminate: A full moon lightened the road.

to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.): A large smile lightened his face.

to make lighter or less dark: Add white to lighten the paint.

Obsolete. enlighten.

Obsolete. to flash or emit like lightning (usually followed by out, forth, or down): eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English lightnen; see light¹, -en¹

Related forms

light·en·er, noun

verb (used with object)

to make lighter in weight: to lighten the load on a truck.

to lessen the load of or upon: to lighten a cargo ship.

to make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate: to lighten taxes; to lighten someone's cares.

to cheer or gladden: Such news lightens my heart.

verb (used without object)

to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up: Border inspections have lightened recently.

to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.: His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.

to become less gloomy; perk up: People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; see light², -en¹

Synonyms
3. ease, lessen, reduce.

Antonyms
3. aggravate.

Link To lightening

Collins

World English Dictionary

lightening (ˈlaɪt^ənɪŋ)

—n
	obstetrics the sensation, experienced by many women late in pregnancy when the head of the fetus enters the pelvis, of a reduction in pressure on the diaphragm, making it easier to breathe

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

lighten

verb from light (n.). "To shed light upon," c.1300; "to grow brighter," late 14c. Of faces, expressions, etc., from 1795.

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lightening

"the shedding of light," mid-14c., from lighten (2).

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

lightening light·en·ing (līt'n-ĭng)
n.
The sensation of decreased abdominal distention during the latter weeks of pregnancy following the descent of the fetal head into the pelvic inlet.

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Matching Quote

"In externals we advance with lightening express speed, in modes of thought and sympathy we lumber on in stage-coach fashion."

-Frances E. Willard

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