I. i-ˈlü-mə-nət adjective
Date: 15th century
1. archaic : brightened with light
2. archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened
II. -ˌnāt transitive verb
( -nat·ed ; -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
c. archaic : to set alight
d. : to subject to radiation
2.
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 resplendent
4. : 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
III. -nət noun
Date: 1600
archaic : one having or claiming unusual enlightenment