lightening

English

Etymology 1

Doublet of lightning.

Verb

lightening

1. present participle and gerund of lighten

Noun

lightening (plural lightenings)

1. The act or result of making something light or lighter.
   • 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 134:

     Bradly did not think of Cora till he picked up her figure ahead of him on the downs, but with that he was aware of a sudden lightening of his spirits, and stepped out faster to overtake her.

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

Etymology 2

Noun

lightening

1. (obsolete or proscribed) Alternative form of lightning

Usage notes

Regarded as a misspelling by all modern authorities.

Anagrams

• enlighting