| 释义 |
▪ I. lightening, vbl. n.1|ˈlaɪt(ə)nɪŋ|
[f. lighten v.1 + -ing1.]
1. The rendering light or lighter; alleviation (of pain, sorrow); † comforting, cheering.
1530Palsgr. 239/2 Lightnyng of burdayne, alegement. 1561Hollybush Hom. Apoth. 44 b, He falleth to an amendement and lightening. 1625Gonsalvio's Sp. Inquis. 80 To relieue his pensiue and heauie heart with some kind of lightning. 1655Brinsley Groan for Israel 24 The lightning and saving of the Ship. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. 605 The Frier Rodrigue..carrying 50 [guns], went there without lightening. 1890Athenæum 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.).
1720Gibson Dispensatory iii. §8 (1721) 195 Knead it up with Barm or Lightning, and bake it.
▪ II. lightening, vbl. n.2|ˈlaɪt(ə)nɪŋ|
See also lightning n.
[f. lighten v.2 + -ing1.]
The shedding or shining of light; suffusion with light, lighting up; fig. enlightenment, illumination.
a1340Hampole Psalter xxvi. 1 Lord my lyȝtnynge: and my heel. c1420Prymer (1895) 14 God, þat tauȝtest þe hertes of þi trewe seruauntis bi liȝtnyng of þe holi goost. c1430Hymns Virg. 45 Bi þe liȝtnynge of a sterre To ihesu alle þre presentis þei brouȝte. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 74 Grace is an illumynacyon or lyghtnynge of the soule. 1667Milton P.L. v. 734 The Son with calm aspect and cleer Light'ning Divine. 1814Scott Fam. Lett. (1894) I. x. 318 A lightening in the domestic horizon. 1864Swinburne Atalanta 1448 This lightening of clear weather. 1873R. Broughton Nancy III. 228 A kindling of the eye, and godly lightening of all her gentle face.
b. a lightening before death: that exhilaration or revival of the spirits which is supposed to occur in some instances just before death.
Cf. ‘a glimmering before death’ (Fletcher Sp. Curate, iv. v.).
1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. v. iii. 90 How oft when men are at the point of death, Haue they beene merrie? Which their Keepers call A lightning before death. c1611Chapman Iliad xv. 213 This lightning flew before his death; which Pallas was to giue. 1641Brome Joviall Crew v. Wks. 1873 III. 441 If it be a lightning before death, the best is, I am his heir. 1654Gayton Pleas. Notes iii. viii. 125 Not that I Lightning or fell Thunder feare, (Unless that Lightning before death appear). 1712Addison Spect. No. 517 ⁋2 We were once in great Hopes of his Recovery..but this only proved a Light'ning before Death. 1840Hood Up Rhine 7 The old saying about a lightening before death.
c. attrib.: lightening-column, ? nonce-wd., a beacon-pillar (fig.).
1767S. Paterson Another Trav. I. 413 The first emporium of commerce—the lightening-column of navigation to all the world.
▪ III. ˈlightening, ppl. a.|ˈlaɪt(ə)nɪŋ|
[f. lighten v.2 + -ing2.]
That lightens, shines, flashes, etc.
1592Constable Poems (1859) 1 As my heart shall aye remaine A patient object to thy lightning eyes. 1594R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 121 Alexander..who like a lightening thunder leaped into diuers parts. 1609Daniel Civ. Wars vii. xciv. 197 This..Queene; Whose Victories..Haue but as onely lightning motions beene Before the ruine that ensu'd thereon. [Cf. lightening vbl. n.2 b.] 1694Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 317/1 Aurum Fulminans: Lightning or Thundering Gold. 1877L. Morris Epic Hades iii. 48 As I went Across the lightening fields. |