Definition of illuminate

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il·lu·mi·nate    (-lm-nt) KEY 

VERB:
il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates
VERB:
tr.

1. To provide or brighten with light.
2. To decorate or hang with lights.
3. To make understandable; clarify: "Cleverly made attacks can . . . serve to illuminate important differences between candidates" (New Republic).
4. To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand.
5. To endow with fame or splendor; celebrate.
6. To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, miniatures, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.
7. To expose to or reveal by radiation.

VERB:
intr.

1. To become lighted; glow.
2. To provide intellectual or spiritual enlightenment and understanding: "Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate, you're on a slippery slope" (Bill Moyers).
3. To be exposed to or revealed by radiation.

NOUN:
(-nt)

One who has or professes to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English illuminaten, from Latin illminre, illmint- : in-, in ; see in-² + lminre, to light up (from lmen, lmin-, light; see leuk- in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
il·lumi·nating·ly(Adverb)