Lighten

līt′n, v.t. to make light or clear: ( fig. ) to illuminate with knowledge.— v.i. to shine like lightning: to flash: to become le dark.— ns. Light′ning , the electric flash usually followed by thunder: ( Shak. ) a becoming bright; Light′ning-arrest′er , an apparatus used for protecting telegraph or telephone lines, ., from lightning-discharges; Light′ning-bug , a sort of phosphorescent beetle or firefly; Light′ning-conduc′tor , Light′ning-rod , a metallic rod for protecting buildings from lightning.