ə̇ˌlüməˈnāshən also ə̇lˌyü- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English illuminacioun, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French illumination, from Late Latin illumination-, illuminatio, from Latin illuminatus (past participle of illuminare to illuminate) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at illuminate
1. : the action of illuminating or condition of being illuminated: as
a. : spiritual or cultural or intellectual enlightenment
claimed she had received divine illumination
found great illumination in the lecture
b.
(1) : a giving of physical light or the state of being lighted up
the brilliant illumination of the room
(2) : decorative lighting or lighting effects
illumination of the city in celebration of the victory
c. : decoration (as of an initial letter, a text) by the art of illuminating
was much interested in the illumination of manuscripts
2. : the luminous flux per unit area on an intercepting surface at any given point — called also illuminance
3. : one of the decorative features used in the art of illuminating or in decorative lighting
marveled at the intricate designs and other illuminations of the manuscript
the city was resplendent in its many illuminations