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QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of illuminate

1400–50; late Middle English <Latin illūminātus (past participle of illūmināre to light up, brighten). See illumine, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM illuminate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use illuminate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for illuminate

illuminate

verb (ɪˈluːmɪˌneɪt)
adjective (ɪˈluːmɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt)
archaic made clear or bright with light; illuminated
noun (ɪˈluːmɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt)
a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment

Derived forms of illuminate

illuminative, adjectiveilluminator, noun

Word Origin for illuminate

C16: from Latin illūmināre to light up, from lūmen light
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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