[ ɪ'l(j)u:mɪneɪt ]
■ verb
1》 light up.
2》 [usu. as adjective illuminating ] help to clarify or explain.
3》 [often as adjective ~d ] decorate (a page or initial letter in a manuscript) with gold, silver, or coloured designs.
Derivatives
illuminatingly adverb
illuminative adjective
illuminator noun
Origin
ME: from L. illuminat- , illuminare '~', from in- 'upon' + lumen , lumin- 'light'.