Main Entry:

²il·lu·mi·nate

Pronunciation:

\-ˌnāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

il·lu·mi·nat·ed; il·lu·mi·nat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

Date:

15th century

1 a: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually b (1): to supply or brighten with light (2): to make luminous or shining carchaic : to set alight d: to subject to radiation2 a: to make clear : elucidate b: to bring to the fore : highlight <a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are>3: to make illustrious or resplendent4: to decorate (as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures

— il·lu·mi·nat·ing·ly \-ˌnā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— il·lu·mi·na·tor \-ˌnā-tər\ noun