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illuminate

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The definition of illuminate is to light something up or to explain something so that it is clear.

(verb)

When you turn on a light, this is an example of a situation where you illuminate a room.
When you decorate your house for Christmas, this is an example of a situation where you illuminate a house.
When you give a simple explanation to help someone understand an issue, this is an example of a situation where the explanation illuminates the issue.

See illuminate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb illuminated, illuminating

1. to give light to; light up
2. to brighten; animate
1. to make clear; explain; elucidate
2. to inform; instruct; enlighten
to make illustrious, glorious, or famous
to decorate with lights
1. to decorate (an initial letter or word) with designs, tracings, etc. of gold, silver, or bright colors
2. to decorate (a manuscript, page border, etc.) with such initial letters, miniature pictures, etc.

Origin: < L illuminatus, pp. of illuminare, to light up < in-, in + luminare, to light < lumen (gen. luminis), a light < IE *leuksmen < base *leuk-: see illustrate

adjective

make bright with light
enlightened in mind or spirit

noun

Archaic a person who has or claims to have special knowledge

Related Forms:

illuminable adjective

See illuminate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates

verb, transitive

To provide or brighten with light.
To decorate or hang with lights.
To make understandable; clarify: “Cleverly made attacks can . . . serve to illuminate important differences between candidates” (New Republic).
To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand.
To endow with fame or splendor; celebrate.
To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, miniatures, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.
To expose to or reveal by radiation.

verb, intransitive

To become lighted; glow.
To provide intellectual or spiritual enlightenment and understanding: “Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate, you're on a slippery slope” (Bill Moyers).
To be exposed to or revealed by radiation.

noun (-nĭt)

One who has or professes to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English illuminaten

Origin: , from Latin illūmināre, illūmināt-

Origin: : in-, in; see in-²

Origin: + lūmināre, to light up (from lūmen, lūmin-, light; see leuk- in Indo-European roots)

Related Forms: