Illuminate

Pronunciation verb

• IPA: /ɪlˈlumɪneɪt/, /ɪlˈlumÉ™neɪt/ verb
• IPA: /ɪlˈlumɪnÉ™t/ noun

Origin

From Middle English illuminaten, originally from Latin illūminātum, supine of illūminō ("lighten, light up, show off"), from in + lūminō ("light up"), from lūmen ("light"). Cognate with Old English lȳman ("to glow, shine"). More at leam.

Full definition of illuminate

Verb

1. (transitive) To shine light on something.
2. (transitive) To decorate something with lights.
3. (transitive) To clarify or make something understandable.
4. (transitive) To decorate the page of a manuscript book with ornamental designs.
5. (transitive, figurative) To make spectacular.
• 2012, June 2, Phil McNulty, England 1-0 Belgium, Hodgson's approach may not illuminate proceedings in Poland and Ukraine but early evidence suggests they will be tough to break down.
6. (intransitive) To glow; to light up.
• 1994, Sylvia Carlson, ‎Verne Carlson, Professional Cameraman's Handbook (ISBN 024080080X), page 494:Red diode in button illuminates when camera runs at speed set in five-digit speed selector.
• 2011/2012, "Spectrum", written by Florence Welch and Paul Epworth, performed by Florence and the Machine, released on the album Ceremonials (2011):Say my name
  and every color illuminates.
  We are shining
  ...
7. (intransitive) To be exposed to light.

Synonyms

• illumine

Derived terms

• transilluminate
• illuminator

Noun

1. Someone thought to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.

Adjective

1. (obsolete) enlightened----