ENLIGHTENED

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does enlightened mean? 

• ENLIGHTENED (noun)
  The noun ENLIGHTENED has 1 sense:

1. people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity

  Familiarity information: ENLIGHTENED used as a noun is very rare.

• ENLIGHTENED (adjective)
  The adjective ENLIGHTENED has 2 senses:

1. having knowledge and spiritual insight

2. characterized by full comprehension of the problem involved

  Familiarity information: ENLIGHTENED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENLIGHTENED (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

People who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

enlightened; initiate

Context example:

it is very familiar to the initiate

Hypernyms ("enlightened" is a kind of...):

people ((plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively)

Derivation:

enlightened (characterized by full comprehension of the problem involved)

• ENLIGHTENED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having knowledge and spiritual insight

Similar:

edified (instructed and encouraged in moral, intellectual, and spiritual improvement)

Also:

educated (possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge))

informed (having much knowledge or education)

Antonym:

unenlightened (not enlightened; ignorant)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by full comprehension of the problem involved

Synonyms:

educated; enlightened

Context example:

an enlightened electorate

Similar:

informed (having much knowledge or education)

Derivation:

enlightened (people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity)

 Context examples 

The excellent papa labored under the delusion that he was, and reveled in long discussions with the kindred spirit, till a chance remark of his more observing grandson suddenly enlightened him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I little expected, in this enlightened and scientific age, to find a disciple of Albertus Magnus and Paracelsus.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I rose from the thanksgiving—took a resolve—and lay down, unscared, enlightened—eager but for the daylight.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

If Lady Bertram, with all her incompetency and languor, could feel this, the inference of what her niece, alive and enlightened as she was, must feel, was elevating.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He had been in love with Emma, and jealous of Frank Churchill, from about the same period, one sentiment having probably enlightened him as to the other.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

You’ve had more than two years of experience with Saturn, and the end part is generally not nearly as challenging because Saturn has already enlightened you—you now have experience under your belt.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

When she had finished, and we were going out to the schoolroom, I was much surprised to hear Mr. Wickfield, in bidding her good morning, address her as Mrs. Strong; and I was wondering could she be Doctor Strong's son's wife, or could she be Mrs. Doctor Strong, when Doctor Strong himself unconsciously enlightened me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Our toil must be in silence, and our efforts all in secret; for in this enlightened age, when men believe not even what they see, the doubting of wise men would be his greatest strength.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

That Lucy had certainly meant to deceive, to go off with a flourish of malice against him in her message by Thomas, was perfectly clear to Elinor; and Edward himself, now thoroughly enlightened on her character, had no scruple in believing her capable of the utmost meanness of wanton ill-nature.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Another storm enlightened Jura with faint flashes; and another darkened and sometimes disclosed the Môle, a peaked mountain to the east of the lake.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)