illuminate
[verb ih-loo-muh-neyt; adjective, noun ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt]
- to supply or brighten with light; light up.
- to make lucid or clear; throw light on (a subject).
- to decorate with lights, as in celebration.
- to enlighten, as with knowledge.
- to make resplendent or illustrious: A smile illuminated her face.
- to decorate (a manuscript, book, etc.) with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages.
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- to display lights, as in celebration.
- to become illuminated.
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- Archaic. illuminated.
- Obsolete. enlightened.
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- Archaic. a person who is or affects to be specially enlightened.
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Origin of illuminate
Synonyms
See more synonyms for illuminate on Thesaurus.com2. clarify, explain, elucidate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for illuminated
Contemporary Examples
They shared their struggles and triumphs, and illuminated the frontlines of the fight for equality.
The library in Williamsburg itself is illuminated with antique filament bulbs and everything inside is of the past or a nod to it.
A moment ago the drawing-room had seemed empty; Mrs. Luke, in her sole person, filled and illuminated it.
It has also illuminated its best hope for true freedom, real equality, and vital democracy.
One doctor went to Venice Beach to find out—and illuminated tons of problems with the current state of legal weed.
Historical Examples
This illuminated the entire room, but in a partial and dismal manner.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
The room had not been illuminated in years as it was that night.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
The news of Duncan's victory had been made public, and the house was not illuminated.
The Life of Horatio Lord NelsonRobert Southey
The hall was illuminated by tentaculites, and presented a brilliant appearance.
She has illuminated a Salvator on a little sheet, for which I gave her one fl.
Albert DurerT. Sturge Moore
illuminate
- (tr) to throw light in or into; light upto illuminate a room
- (tr) to make easily understood; clarify
- to adorn, decorate, or be decorated with lights
- (tr) to decorate (a letter, page, etc) by the application of colours, gold, or silver
- (intr) to become lighted up
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- archaic made clear or bright with light; illuminated
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- a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for illuminated
illuminate
v.
c.1500, "to light up, shine on," a back-formation from illumination, or else from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare (see illumination). Earlier was enlumyen (late 14c.) "decorate written material with gold, silver, bright colors," from Old French enluminer, from Late Latin inluminare; also illumine (late 14c.). Related: Illuminated; illuminating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper