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enlightenment
(redirected from enlightenments)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.06 sec.
en·light·en·ment  (n-ltn-mnt)
n.
1.
a. The act or a means of enlightening.
b. The state of being enlightened.
2. Enlightenment A philosophical movement of the 18th century that emphasized the use of reason to scrutinize previously accepted doctrines and traditions and that brought about many humanitarian reforms. Used with the.
3. Buddhism & Hinduism A blessed state in which the individual transcends desire and suffering and attains Nirvana.

enlightenment
Noun
the act of enlightening or the state of being enlightened
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.enlightenmentenlightenment - education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
education - knowledge acquired by learning and instruction; "it was clear that he had a very broad education"
edification, sophistication - uplifting enlightenment
satori - (Zen Buddhism) a state of sudden spiritual enlightenment
unenlightenment - a lack of understanding
2.enlightenmentenlightenment - (Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
Hindooism, Hinduism - a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils
Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth
beatification, beatitude, blessedness - a state of supreme happiness
3.Enlightenment - 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"
reform movement - a movement intended to bring about social and humanitarian reforms

enlightenment
Translations
Enlightenment [ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt] n (HISTORY): the Enlightenment → la Ilustración, el Siglo de las Luces
enlightenment [ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt] nédification f; éclaircissements mpl;
(History);
the Enlightenment → le Siècle des lumières
enlightenment [ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt] enlighten n (also Hist) (Enlightenment) → Aufklärung f
enlightenment [ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt] nprogresso culturale; chiarimenti mpl;
(HISTORY): the Enlightenment → l'Illuminismo


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Nor, it might be added, should they be allowed to obscure the fact that ideas really do have consequences (even it frequently may take a considerable period of time for these consequences become apparent) and that the various national Enlightenments may not have been equally prescient in grasping the implications of the "deep structure" of thought they shared.
Theologian Tracey Rowland believes the latter description of liberalism--an intellectual tradition derivative of the epistemology and moral, political and economic philosophy of the various European Enlightenments in the 18th century--better understands the phenomenon, and believes Benedict XVI shares at least some elements of this diagnosis.
George Brecht once described his events as "very private, like little enlightenments I wanted to communicate to my friends who would know what to do with them.
 
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