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illuminator

American  
[ih-loo-muh-ney-ter] / ɪˈlu məˌneɪ tər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that illuminates.

  2. a device for illuminating, as a light source with a lens or mirror for concentrating light.

  3. a person who paints manuscripts, books, etc., with designs in color, gold, or the like.


Etymology

Origin of illuminator

1475–85; < Late Latin illūminātor, equivalent to illūminā ( re ) ( see illumine) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

There the show continues with a series of additional paintings and altarpieces, as well as his work as a manuscript illuminator.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 22, 2025

His coronation invite was designed by Andrew Jamieson, a heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator whose work is inspired by the chivalric themes of Arthurian legend.

From BBC Apr. 5, 2023

The design, created by heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator Andrew Jamieson, will be printed on a recycled card with gold foil detailing.

From Seattle Times Apr. 4, 2023

Then he ran his finger over a wall-mounted X-ray illuminator.

From New York Times Feb. 27, 2018

He was at once chorister, master of ceremonies, transcriber, illuminator, and collector.

From The Library and Society Reprints of Papers and Addresses by Bostwick, Arthur Elmore

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