Illuminate

English Meaning

To make light; to throw light on; to supply with light, literally or figuratively; to brighten.

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.
8. To become lighted; glow.
9. To provide intellectual or spiritual enlightenment and understanding: "Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate, you're on a slippery slope” ( Bill Moyers).
10. To be exposed to or revealed by radiation.
11. One who has or professes to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.