LIGHTEN
Light"en, v. t. Etym: [See Light not heavy.]
1. To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
2. To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
3. To cheer; to exhilarate. Lighens my humor with his merry jests. Shak.
LIGHTER
Light"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, lights; as, a lighter of lamps.
LIGHTER
Light"er, n. Etym: [D. ligter, fr. ligt light. See Light not heavy.]
(Naut.)
Defn: A large boat or barge, mainly, used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery. Lighter screw (Mach.), a screw for adjusting the distance between the stones in a grinding mill by raising or lowering the bridgetree.
LIGHTER
Light"er, v. t.
Defn: To convey by a lighter, as to or from the shore; as, to lighter the cargo of a ship.