Il‐lu″mi‐nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Illuminated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Illuminating (?).] [L. illuminatus, p. p. of illuminare; pref. il- in + luminare to enlighten, fr. lumen light. See Luminous, and cf. Illume, Illumine, Enlimn, Limn.] 1. To make light; to throw light on; to supply with light, literally or figuratively; to brighten.
2. To light up; to decorate with artificial lights, as a building or city, in token of rejoicing or respect.
3. To adorn, as a book or page with borders, initial letters, or miniature pictures in colors and gold, as was done in manuscripts of the Middle Ages.
4. To make plain or clear; to dispel the obscurity to by knowledge or reason; to explain; to elucidate; as, to illuminate a text, a problem, or a duty.