enlightenment

Meanings

Plural: enlightenments

Noun

• education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
• (Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
• 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"
• An act of enlightening, or the state of being enlightened or instructed.
• A concept in spirituality, philosophy and psychology related to achieving clarity of perception, reason and knowledge.

Synonyms

Age of Reason, bodhi, epiphany, nirvana, peace that passeth understanding, satori, zen

Antonyms

unenlightenment