Definition of illuminate

• v. t. - To make light; to throw light on; to supply with light, literally or figuratively; to brighten.
• v. t. - To light up; to decorate with artificial lights, as a building or city, in token of rejoicing or respect.
• v. t. - 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.
• v. t. - 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.
• v. i. - To light up in token or rejoicing.
• a. - Enlightened.
• n. - One who enlightened; esp., a pretender to extraordinary light and knowledge.