| 释义 |
brighten, v.|ˈbraɪt(ə)n|
[ME. brightn-en, corresp. in form to OE. *beorhtnian, in Northumbrian berhtnia, ᵹeberhtnia to make bright, f. beorht bright. It is possible that the mod.Eng. word is a new formation on bright: cf. bright v.]
1. trans. To make bright.
[c950Lindisf. Gosp. John xiii. 32 God ᵹeberhtnade hine on hine seolfne.] 1583Stanyhurst æneis ii. (Arb.) 53 Thee strand flames fyrye doe brighten. a1700Dryden (J.) As her celestial eyes Adorn the world, and brighten up the skies. 1805Scott Last Minstr. ii. xxiv, When the dawn of day Began to brighten Cheviot gray. 1831Carlyle Sart. Res. iii. vi, Brightening London smoke itself into gold vapour.
b. fig.
1597Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, ii. iii. 17 There were two Honors lost..For Yours, may heauenly glory brighten it. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 634 Hope elevates, and joy Bright'ns his crest. 1872Black Adv. Phaeton xxvi. 354 This sort of talk brightened up the spirits of our party.
2. intr. To become bright; to be bright, shine. Often with up.
a1300Cursor M. 9933 Þat castel brightnes..Ouer al þat curt on lenght and brede. 1704Pope Past., Spring 72 The flowers begin to spring, the skies to brighten. 1768Beattie Minstr. i. xxx, The rainbow brightens to the setting sun! 1819Byron Juan ii. lxxxix, The boy's eyes..Brighten'd. 18..Southey Lodore 58 And whitening and brightening.
b. In various fig. senses (see bright a.).
1709Pope Ess. Crit. 421 How the style brightens, how the sense refines. 1732Berkeley Alciphr. I. 183 The Man of Raillery..shall instantly brighten up, and assume a familiar Air. 1875Jowett Plato I. 239 He brightens up and is wide awake when Homer is..recited. |