illustration
- something that illustrates, as a picture in a book or magazine.
- a comparison or an example intended for explanation or corroboration.
- the act or process of illuminating.
- the act of clarifying or explaining; elucidation.
- Archaic. illustriousness; distinction.
Origin of illustration
Synonyms
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Related Words
explanationinterpretationexampleengravingpicturephotographetchingimagesketchvignettedepictiondecorationsnapshotpaintingcartoonphotocaseelucidationclarificationspecimenExamples from the Web for illustration
Contemporary Examples
It also offers an illustration about vaccine safety in general.
Now, its fantastic rooms house the first national museum focused solely on the art of American illustration.
His illustration Daybreak was once the most reproduced work of art in the world.
Insist that it's as clear an illustration of rape as you're going to see on cable TV—because it is.
The picture was never actually published, but an illustration based on the picture was.
Historical Examples
He had for years been writing of family and social duties; here was his illustration!
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
And this illustration has significance for more than the physical order of revelation.
Understanding the ScripturesFrancis McConnell
Let us look at the opening chapters of Genesis for illustration.
Understanding the ScripturesFrancis McConnell
A glance at the illustration will make this plain, and also show how the wires are to be placed.
Flying MachinesW.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
Not from the marvellous, my friends; let us seek an illustration from the ordinary.
The Gentleman From IndianaBooth Tarkington
illustration
- pictorial matter used to explain or decorate a text
- an example or demonstrationan illustration of his ability
- the act of illustrating or the state of being illustrated
Word Origin and History for illustration
n.
c.1400, "a shining;" early 15c., "a manifestation;" mid-15c., "a spiritual illumination," from Old French illustration "apparition, appearance," and directly from Latin illustrationem (nominative illustratio) "vivid representation" (in writing), literally "an enlightening," from past participle stem of illustrare "light up, make light, illuminate;" figuratively "make clear, disclose, explain; adorn, render distinguished," from assimilated form of in- "in" (see in- (2)) + lustrare "make bright, illuminate," related to lucere "shine," lux "light" (see light (n.)). Mental sense of "act of making clear in the mind" is from 1580s. Meaning "an illustrative picture" is from 1816.