Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIGHT'EN, v.i. [li'tn; from light, the fluid; Sax. lihtan.]

1. To flash; to burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with an instantaneous illumination. This dreadful night / That thunders, lightens, open graves, and roars / As doth the lion. – Shak.
2. To shine like lightning. – Shak.
3. To fall; to light. [Obs.]