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enlightenment — the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/

Example Sentences

  • After years of studying philosophy, she finally had her moment of enlightenment in the bathroom.
  • The professor's enlightenment came not from books, but from watching his cat ignore him completely.
  • Many students seek enlightenment through education and self-reflection.

enlightenment

NOUN

[/ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/]

the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixen--
Rootlight
Suffix--ment

Origin

Derived from Middle English 'enlighten', the word originally carried the literal meaning of 'to shed light upon' before developing its philosophical sense of 'to illuminate the mind' or 'to impart knowledge and understanding'. The term evolved to denote the state of being intellectually and spiritually awakened.

Breakdown

en- (in, into) + light (illumination, understanding) + -en (causative verb suffix) + -ment (noun suffix denoting state or condition)

🎵Rhyme

assignment
refinement
confinement

🔗Collocations

spiritual enlightenment
seek enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
achieve enlightenment
enlightenment thinking

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“After years of studying philosophy, she finally had her moment of enlightenment in the bathroom.”

😄 Fun example

“The professor's enlightenment came not from books, but from watching his cat ignore him completely.”

“Many students seek enlightenment through education and self-reflection.”

“The Enlightenment period promoted scientific thinking and individual rights.”

📚Related Words

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