slighten
verb/ˈslaɪ.tən/
Etymology From slight + -en. Related to German schlichten (“to smoothen”). More at slight.
1
Ambitransitive To make or become slight; make or become less pronounced, less noticeable, or less obvious.
- His smile slightened as if he knew they talked of him.2004, D. L. Larson, Memories Trail, page 459:
- With tissue I softened my rouge, slightened my lipstick; studying my redesigns in my green compact's mirror I marveled, seeing yet another strange face.2007, Jack Womack, Elvissey:
2
To slight.
- […] as God forbid that anyone should hint a slightening word of what our sons and brothers are doing just now, and doing for us!1920, Arthur Quiller-Couch, On the Art of Reading:
- They may take ill or feel slightened for not having been approached directly.1997, Rajendra Kumar Sharma, Sociological Methods and Techniques, page 257:
1 more example
- It is an odious wisdom to blaspheme, / Much more to slighten, or deny their powers1603 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, Seianus His Fall, London: […] G[eorge] Elld, for Thomas Thorpe, published 1605, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
3
Regional To level out, smooth, or flatten.
- to slighten the sheets out