The Collaborative International Dictionary
Enliven \En*liv"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Enlivened; p. pr. & vb. n. Enlivening.] [Pref. en- + liven.].
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To give life, action, or motion to; to make vigorous or active; to excite; to quicken; as, fresh fuel enlivens a fire.
Lo! of themselves th' enlivened chessmen move.
--Cowley. -
To give spirit or vivacity to; to make sprightly, gay, or cheerful; to animate; as, mirth and good humor enliven a company; enlivening strains of music.
Syn: To animate; rouse; inspire; cheer; encourage; comfort; exhilarate; inspirit; invigorate.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of enliven English)
WordNet
adj. giving spirit and vivacity [syn: animating]
Usage examples of "enlivening".
Everywhere, the Arabic alphabet wiggled and popped, enlivening crumbling architecture with outbursts of linguistic jazz, notations from the DNA songbook, energetic markings as primal as grunts and as modem as the abstract electricity of synthesizer feedback.
He is not, perhaps, the most enlivening of companions, but he may be depended upon to maintain a stolid sobriety, and his joining us enabled me to dispense with Fobbing’s escort, for which I was thankful!
The lights of the city ripple over her as well, enlivening her classic contours, giving her a different sort of bath.
His sister was, perhaps, not an enlivening companion for so frivolous a child as his Letitia.
The adults just stood and watched, each undoubtedly thankful that these little demons would be here and not enlivening the convention proper.
However, when at length they emerged into the fresh air of a London evening, the bubbles sprang instantly to fizziness, memorably enlivening the digestive process.