different between weaken vs enlessen

English

Etymology

weak +? -en

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?wik?n/
• Rhymes: -i?k?n

Verb

weaken (third-person singular simple present weakens, present participle weakening, simple past and past participle weakened)

1. (transitive) To make weaker or less strong.
2. (intransitive) To become weaker or less strong.

Translations

English

Etymology

En- (an intensifying prefix) + lessen (to reduce, to diminish).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?n?l?s??n/

Verb

enlessen (third-person singular simple present enlessens, present participle enlessening, simple past and past participle enlessened)

1. (archaic) to belittle, to denigrate; to weaken; to lessen.
   • c 1527–1533 (published in 1870): Nicholas Pocock, Records of the Reformation: The Divorce 1527–1533, p330

     PLEASE it your highness to be advertised that this present morning came unto prior Thomas unto his cell wherein I am lodged, the emperor’s great ambassador, accompanied with a great many gentlemen of Spayne, and demanded of him how he durst be so bold to take upon him to intermeddle in so great and weighty a matter, the which did not only enlessen and elevate the pope’s authority, but also was noyful and odious to all realms Cristenyd.