v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sweetened p. pr. & vb. n. Sweetening. ] [ See Sweet, a. ] 1. To make sweet to the taste; as, to sweeten tea. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To make pleasing or grateful to the mind or feelings; as, to sweeten life; to sweeten friendship. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To make mild or kind; to soften; as, to sweeten the temper. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To make less painful or laborious; to relieve; as, to sweeten the cares of life. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] And sweeten every secret tear. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. To soften to the eye; to make delicate. [ 1913 Webster ] Correggio has made his memory immortal by the strength he has given to his figures, and by sweetening his lights and shadows, and melting them into each other. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. To make pure and salubrious by destroying noxious matter; as, to sweeten rooms or apartments that have been infected; to sweeten the air. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. To make warm and fertile; -- opposed to sour; as, to dry and sweeten soils. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. To restore to purity; to free from taint; as, to sweeten water, butter, or meat. [ 1913 Webster ] [ 1913 Webster ] | 
