Detenebrate

/diːˈtenəbreɪt/ verb

Definition

To remove darkness from; to illuminate or brighten; to make clear or intelligible.

Etymology

From de- (remove) + tenebrate (from Latin tenebrae 'darkness'). A rare, scholarly English word that combines Latin roots to mean 'to remove darkness,' literally or figuratively.

Kelly Says

Detenebrate is such a gorgeous rare word—it means enlightenment literally! 'Tenebrae' appears in church services (darkness) and art (chiaroscuro), and detenebrate is its scholarly opposite, meaning to illuminate truth or understanding.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.