Obs. [OE. beorhtian to shine bright (corresp. to Goth. *bairhtôn), f. beorht bright; the ME. bright-en (trans.) corresponds to an OE. bierhtan = Goth. bairhtjan; but it may be a transitive extension of the OE. intr. vb.]
1. intr. To be bright, shine.
c. 890. K. Ælfred, Bæda, III. xix. (Bosw.). Ðær his ʓeearnunge oft miclum mæʓenum scinaþ and beorhtiʓaþ.
a. 1000. Ags. Psalms cxliii. 2. Þine liʓetta leohteð and beorhteð.
c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 1997. The clerkys … made ham at ese that nyght, Til on morwen the day bryght.
b. Of sound: To be clear, to ring.
a. 1000. Beowulf, 2326. Beorhtode benc-sweʓ.
2. trans. To make bright, illumine.
a. 800. Vesp. Ps. xli. 9. In deʓe onbead dryhten mildheortnisse his and on naeht ʓebirhte.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 384. Luue, Þet schireð & brihteð þe heorte.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 815. Ryses the sun, Brightis all the burghe and the brode valis.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, I. v. 14. He [the Sun] brighteth the Air into a chearful Saphir.
