Meaning

noun education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge

noun (Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness

noun a movement in Europe from about 1650 until 1800 that advocated the use of reason and individualism instead of tradition and established doctrine

originEtymology tree English enlighten Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-mentom Latin -mentum Old French -mentbor. Middle English -ment English -ment English enlightenment From enlighten + -ment.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0