I. ˈiləˌstrāt, ə̇ˈləˌs-; usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin illustratus, past participle of illustrare, from in- in (II) + lustrare to purify, make bright, from lustrum — more at lustrum
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to enlighten intellectually or culturally or spiritually
b. : to give physical light to : light up
2.
a. archaic : to make illustrious : confer honor or distinction on
b. obsolete
(1) : to make luminous or bright
(2) : adorn
3.
a. : to make clear : remove obscurity from : make intelligible : clarify , elucidate
illustrated the new theory by careful references to what was already known
b.
(1) : to make clear by giving examples or instances
used many examples to illustrate his lecture on what had been accomplished
(2) : to make clear by reason of being an example or instance : serve as an example or instance of
a national hero who embodies and illustrates the nation's passionate love of freedom
c.
(1) : to make clear or more helpful or attractive by furnishing or combining with apt visual features (as photograghs, charts, slides) or other sensory aids (as recordings of music, speech)
the author has illustrated the book with some excellent pictures
illustrated the lecture on the history of art with a couple of short films and some color slides
discussed some aspects of jazz and illustrated the talk with tape recordings
(2) : to make clear or more helpful or attractive by reason of being an apt visual feature or other sensory aid
a wealth of photographs illustrate the book
d. : to provide with visual features (as photographs) or other sensory aids (as recordings)
the book is very well illustrated
a beautifully illustrated magazine
4. : to show to advantage : set in a clear light : clearly exhibit : demonstrate
the gaiety we too often associate with levity of character is, as the French illustrate it, a necessity of mental health — W.C.Brownell
honoring and illustrating the supreme worth of freedom — Agnes Repplier
a situation that illustrates the need for tolerance
intransitive verb
: to make something clear by furnishing an example or instance
the speaker hesitated and then said he would endeavor to illustrate
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin illustratus
1. obsolete : resplendent
2. obsolete : illustrious