Definition

1. Noun:
   • A state of understanding or wisdom: "Enlightenment" refers to the state of having knowledge, insight, or spiritual awakening, often implying a deep understanding that dispels ignorance.
   • A historical intellectual movement: Specifically capitalized as "the Enlightenment," it denotes the 17th- and 18th-century European philosophical movement that emphasized reason, science, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.
   • A spiritual goal in Eastern religions: In Buddhism and Hinduism, "enlightenment" (often synonymous with nirvana or bodhi) is the ultimate state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth, achieved through profound spiritual insight.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (General Understanding):
  • Reading that book was a moment of enlightenment for me.
  • She sought spiritual enlightenment through meditation.
• Noun (Historical Movement):
  • Philosophers of the Enlightenment valued rational thought over blind faith.
  • The ideals of the Enlightenment influenced modern democratic principles.
• Noun (Spiritual State):
  • The Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
  • His goal is to reach enlightenment and break free from worldly desires.

Advanced Usage

• "Age of Enlightenment": A synonym for the historical period of the Enlightenment.
  • The Age of Enlightenment championed intellectual interchange and scientific thought.
• "to have a moment of enlightenment": To suddenly understand something clearly.
  • After hours of confusion, he had a sudden moment of enlightenment about the problem.

Variants and Related Words

• Enlighten (verb): To give someone greater knowledge or spiritual insight.
  • The teacher sought to enlighten her students about world history.
• Enlightened (adjective): Having or showing a rational, modern, and well-informed outlook.
  • She held enlightened views on social justice.
• Enlightening (adjective): Providing insight or knowledge.
  • The documentary was an enlightening experience.

Synonyms

• Illumination: Intellectual or spiritual light; insight.
• Awakening: An act of becoming suddenly aware.
• Edification: Instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually.

Related Phrases

• "Pursuit of enlightenment": The act of seeking knowledge or spiritual awakening.
  • His life was dedicated to the pursuit of enlightenment.
• "Spread enlightenment": To disseminate knowledge or understanding.
  • The organization's mission is to spread enlightenment through education.

Related Idioms

• "See the light": To finally understand or accept something (related to the concept of enlightenment).
  • After the explanation, he finally saw the light and agreed with the plan.

Noun

1. a movement in Europe from about 1650 until 1800 that advocated the use of reason and individualism instead of tradition and established doctrine
   • the Enlightenment brought about many humanitarian reforms
2. (Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
3. education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge