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Added 8 October 2026

illuminate

/ɪˈl(j)umɪneɪt/ verb

In Latin: illuminare Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about illuminate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Make lighter or brighter.
This lamp lightens the room a bit
Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear.
Could you clarify these remarks?
Add embellishments and paintings to (medieval manuscripts).

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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