illuminate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb make lighter or brighter
  2. verb make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
  3. verb add embellishments and paintings to (medieval manuscripts)

Etymology

From Middle English illuminaten, borrowed from Latin illūminātus, perfect passive participle of illūminō (“lighten, light up, show off”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more), from in + lūminō (“light up”), from lūmen (“light”). Cognate with Old English lȳman (“to glow, shine”). More at leam.

In classic literature

Synonyms

light, illume, illumine, light up

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