enlighten

verb

Etymology: Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from inlighten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhtan (“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and lightnen (“to enlighten, illuminate”) (equivalent to light + -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten (“to enlighten, inform”), Old High German inliuhten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 (inliuhtjan, “to enlighten, illuminate”). More at inlight, -en.

1. To supply with light.

   “The sun enlightens the Earth.”

2. To make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to.

   “She tried to enlighten them about the rules of the program, but they remained belligerently and self-righteously ignorant.”

   “Care to enlighten me, if you think I'm so benighted?”