transitive verb illustrated -·trat′ed, illustrating -·trat′·ing

1. 1. to make clear; explain
   2. to make clear or easily understood by examples, comparisons, etc.; exemplify
2. 1. to furnish (books, etc.) with explanatory or decorative drawings, designs, or pictures
   2. to explain or decorate: said of pictures, etc.
3. Obsolete
   1. to make luminous; illuminate
   2. to enlighten
   3. to make bright; adorn
   4. to make illustrious

Etymology: < L illustratus, pp. of illustrare, to light up, illuminate < in-, in + lustrare, to illuminate < lustrum: see lustrum

intransitive verb