il·lus·trate 
(ĭlə-strāt′, ĭ-lŭstrāt′)
(ĭlə-strāt′, ĭ-lŭstrāt′)v. il·lus·trat·ed, il·lus·trat·ing, il·lus·trates
v.tr.
1.
a. To clarify or explain, as by the use of examples or comparisons: The mayor illustrated the problem with an anecdote.
b. To serve as an example or clarification of: a story that illustrates a broader social problem.
2. To provide (a text) with explanatory or decorative images: illustrated the book with colorful drawings.
3. Obsolete To light up; illuminate.
v.intr.
To present a clarification, example, or explanation.
[Latin illūstrāre, illūstrāt- : in-, in; see IN-2 + lūstrāre, to make bright; see leuk- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
illus·trat′a·ble adj.
illus·tra′tor n.