il|lu|mi|nate

il|lu|mi|nate «verb. ih LOO muh nayt; adjective, noun. ih LOO muh niht, -nayt», verb, -nat|ed, -nat|ing, adjective, noun.

–v.t.

1. to light up; make bright: »

The room was illuminated by four large lamps. The big searchlight illuminates a spot a mile away.

2. Figurative. to make clear; explain; elucidate: »

Our interesting teacher could illuminate almost any subject we studied.

3. to decorate with lights: »

The streets were illuminated for the celebration.

4. to decorate with gold, silver, colors, pictures, and designs. The letters and pages in some old books and manuscripts were illuminated.

5. Figurative. to enlighten; inform; instruct.

6. to make illustrious.

–v.i.

1. to become illuminated.

2. to display lights.

–adj.

1. Archaic. lighted up.

2. Obsolete. enlightened: »

illuminate by learning (Francis Bacon).

–n.

Archaic. a person who is or claims to be especially enlightened.

╂[< Latin illūmināre (with English -ate¹) < in- in + lūmen, -inis light]