[f. LIGHTEN v.1 + -ING1.]
1. The rendering light or lighter; alleviation (of pain, sorrow); † comforting, cheering.
1530. Palsgr., 239/2. Lightnyng of burdayne, alegement.
1561. Hollybush, Hom. Apoth., 44 b. He falleth to an amendement and lightening.
1625. Gonsalvio’s Sp. Inquis., 80. To relieue his pensiue and heauie heart with some kind of lightning.
1655. Brinsley, Groan for Israel, 24. The lightning and saving of the Ship.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 605. The Frier Rodrigue … carrying 50 [guns], went there without lightening.
1890. Athenæum, 6 Dec., 769/1. The volumes, which would seem to need no lightening, are further brightened by some amusing letters.
2. concr. Leaven. Obs. exc. dial. (see E. D. D.).
1720. Gibson, Dispensatory, III. § 8 (1721), 195. Knead it up with Barm or Lightning, and bake it.
