† illustrateadj.
Obsolete.
I. Used as past participle.
1. Illustrated, illuminated, lighted up, enlightened: see illustrate v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > illumination > [adjective] > illuminated or lit up
lightc1300
lightedc1450
illuminate?a1475
circumfulseda1513
illustrate1526
in light1534
lighted1596
illightened1609
enlightened1640
unblown1647
luminated1652
illuminated1664
lit1783
alight1817
lit-up1835
littena1849
light-struck1923
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. eviii O: wolde god I..were illustrate or lightned with the light & felyng therof.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Acts ix. F iv b Thin~warde eyes of his soule, wer in the meane space clearely illustrat.
1619 J. Bainbridge Astron. Descr. Late Comet 10 The Comet..at first was illustrate with a bright resplendence.
1671 R. McWard True Non-conformist 334 These things need not to be illustrat.
II. In adjectival use.
2. Illuminated, resplendent, clear; lustrous, illustrious.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > manifestness > [adjective]
sutelc897
openeOE
ebera975
graithc1325
broadc1374
plainc1375
clearc1380
grossc1380
manifest1385
notoire1409
patent1508
sensible?1531
discovered1537
plain as a pikestaff (also packstaff, pad-staff)1542
palpable1545
demonstrative1552
plain as the nose on (in) one's face1560
illustrate1562
appearing1566
notorious1581
obvious1583
unshadowed1593
transparent1597
liquid1610
visible1614
pellucid1644
illustrious1654
apertive1661
conspectable1727
suggestive1806
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [adjective]
mereeOE
athelOE
couthOE
brightOE
namecundc1175
outnumenc1175
noble?c1225
ketec1275
sheenc1275
tirfulc1275
glorious13..
losedc1305
of great renownc1330
glorifieda1340
worthly or worthy in wonea1350
clearc1374
nameda1382
solemna1387
renomeda1393
famous?a1400
renomé?a1400
renowneda1400
notedc1400
of (great, high, etc.) name?c1430
celebrate?1440
namely1440
famosec1449
honourable?c1450
notedc1450
parent?c1450
glorificatec1460
heroical?a1475
insignite?a1475
magnific1490
well-fameda1492
exemie1497
singular1497
preclare1503
magnificential1506
laureate1508
illustre?a1513
illustred1512
magnificent1513
preclared1530
grand1542
celebrated1549
heroicc1550
lustrantc1550
magnifical1557
illustrate1562
expectablec1565
ennobled1571
laurel1579
nominated1581
famosed1582
perspicuous1582
big1587
famed1595
uplifted1596
illustrious1598
celebrousc1600
luculent1600
celebrious1604
fameful1605
famoused1606
renownful1606
bruitful1609
eminent1611
insignious1620
clarousa1636
far-fameda1640
top1647
grandee1648
signalized1652
noscible1653
splendid1660
voiced1661
gloried1671
laurelled1683
distinguished1714
distinct1756
lustrious1769
trumpeted1775
spiry1825
world-famous1832
galactic1902
tycoonish1958
mega1987
1562 A. Scott Poems (1896) i. 1 Welcum, illustrat Ladye, and oure quene.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 115 This most gallant illustrate and learned Gentleman. View more context for this quotation
1601 A. Munday & H. Chettle Death Earle of Huntington sig. L Bright sunne retire, gylde not this vault of death, With thy illustrate raies.
1669 Addr. Hopeful Young Gentry 110 The Philosophy, we grope after..here, will..by the first approaches of the light of our never setting day, be plain and illustrate to us.
1705 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus (ed. 2) I. ii. v. 161 That admirable Work, the Lives of the most illustrate Men, Greeks and Romans.
Derivatives
illustrately adv.
ΚΠ
1634 Simple Reasons in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) IV. 181 Our faith in God, and loyalty to the King, are most translucently light..refulgently light, illustrately light.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
illustratev.
/ˈɪləstreɪt/, /ɪˈlʌstreɪt/, U.S. /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/, /ᵻˈləˌstreɪt/ a. transitive. To shed light upon, light up, illumine. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > illumination > illuminate [verb (transitive)]
onlighteOE
enlightOE
alemeOE
alightOE
lightOE
belighta1200
lightena1382
clear1382
alightenc1384
lumine1387
clarify1398
shine1398
shed1412
beamc1430
enlymec1440
illumine1447
enlumine1481
illustre1490
enclear1509
elumine1532
illuminate1535
unshadow1550
illightena1555
allumine1570
eluminate1580
unnight1594
enlighten1595
to strike up1598
illume1604
luminate1623
illustrate1625
unbenight1629
emblaze1637
burn1712
alluminate1726
lamp1808
enkindle1870
1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated i. ii. 35 The beams of the Sun, which should illustrat & lighten the Moone.
1681 C. Cotton Wonders of Peake (1699) 82 The Windows..Illustrating the noble Room.
a1717 T. Parnell Hymn for Morning (Seager) The light, serenely fair, Illustrates all the tracts of air.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > enlightenment > enlighten [verb (transitive)]
to open a person's eyeslOE
clear1399
illumine?1499
illustrate1526
illightena1555
illuminate?1566
unblind1598
irradiate1628
unblindfold1643
to know (also learn, show, teach, tell) (a person) a thing or two1760
illumea1764
enlighten1811
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > enlightenment > enlighten [verb (transitive)]
lighteOE
annealeOE
enlightOE
lightenc1350
enlightena1500
illustrate1526
illuminate?1566
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. OOviiiv It dyd so illustrate or lyghten their vnderstandynge, that [etc.].
1665 R. Boyle Disc. iv. ii, in Occas. Refl. sig. E6 The mind of Man..Illustrated by the Beams of Heavenly Light, and Joy.
1728 M. Earbery tr. T. Burnet Of State of Dead II. ix. 62 Virtue and Truth, in their Fulness of Light, illustrating the whole World.
1872 R. Browning Fifine xxix Quick sense perceives the same Self-vindicating flash illustrate every man And woman of our mass.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > ornament
dightc1200
begoa1225
fay?c1225
rustc1275
duba1300
shrouda1300
adorna1325
flourishc1325
apparel1366
depaintc1374
dressa1375
raila1375
anorna1382
orna1382
honourc1390
paintc1390
pare1393
garnisha1400
mensk?a1400
apykec1400
hightlec1400
overfretc1440
exornc1450
embroider1460
repair1484
empare1490
ornate1490
bedo?a1500
purfle?a1500
glorify?1504
betrap1509
broider1509
deck?1521
likelya1522
to set forth1530
exornate1539
grace1548
adornate1550
fardc1550
gaud1554
pink1558
bedeck1559
tight1572
begaud1579
embellish1579
bepounce1582
parela1586
flower1587
ornify1590
illustrate1592
tinsel1594
formalize1595
adore1596
suborn1596
trapper1597
condecorate1599
diamondize1600
furnish1600
enrich1601
mense1602
prank1605
overgreen1609
crown1611
enjewel1611
broocha1616
varnish1641
ornament1650
array1652
bedub1657
bespangle1675
irradiate1717
gem1747
begem1749
redeck1771
blazon1813
aggrace1825
diamond1839
panoply1851
the world > matter > colour > colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > colour brightly
illustrate1592
flush1746
flamboyantize1857
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. F There is no study, but it [sc. Poetry] dooth illustrate & beautifie.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 59 The wals..haue beene illustrated with Gold, which in some places is visible.
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 165 They illustrate their Arms and Hands, their Legs and Feet, with painted flowers and birds.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. vi. 53 Her head-dress was a Brussels-lace mob... A sky-blue ribband illustrated that.
3. To set in a good light; to display to advantage; to show up.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)] > strikingly
to set out1577
illustrate1603
to stick off1613
signalize1624
to draw out1855
spotlight1907
highlight1922
limelight1927
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > invest with splendour > display to advantage
illustrate1603
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > gain credit by [verb (transitive)] > make to appear favourably
to grace out1581
illustrate1603
1603 H. Crosse Vertues Common-wealth sig. G4 The deformitie of the one doth much illustrate and beautifie the other.
1628 W. Prynne Vnlouelinesse of Louelockes 55 The onely meanes therefore for men to enhance, illustrate, and set out their Beautie, is to neglect it.
1686 W. de Britaine Humane Prudence (ed. 3) xi. 53 Honour and Greatness add nothing to me, but to illustrate my Humility.
1757 H. Walpole Mem. George II III. 75 Pitt though..apt enough to take any step to illustrate his own measures.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) ii. 10 Charity..did so well set off and illustrate her sister!
1917 Mod. Lang. Rev. 12 205 I do not desire to illustrate my version of ‘the Fause Knight’, but merely to claim that it throws new light on the subject matter of the original ballad.
4. To shed lustre upon; to render illustrious, renowned, or famous; to confer honour or distinction upon. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > making famous > make famous or celebrate [verb (transitive)]
enluminec1386
famea1400
bruitc1487
renowna1500
celebrate1522
specifya1525
illustrate1530
illustre1530
resoundc1550
blaze1552
blazon1553
ennoble1565
repeat1582
famose1590
famous1590
royalize1590
emblazon1592
emblaze1596
concelebrate1599
blazonize1614
laurizea1618
lustre1627
befame1669
sound1711
belion1837
lionize1837
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 589/2 I illustrate, I bring to lyght or make noble or worthy.
1624 T. Heywood Γυναικεῖον To Rdr. Women, such as have..beene illustrated for their Vertues, and noble actions.
a1794 E. Gibbon Memoirs in Misc. Wks. (1796) I. 156 Mr. Wedderburne..who now illustrates the title of Lord Loughborough.
1834 W. Hamilton in Edinb. Rev. Apr. 223 Under this system, no men of distinguished merit have illustrated our Universities.
1858 J. H. Newman Mission Benedictine Order in Sel. Ess. (1902) 191 The famous Congregation of Cluni, illustrated by St. Majolus, St. Odilo, Peter the Venerable.
1931 E. Sackville-West Simpson iii. xvii She quickly pulled herself together, feeling that such a state of dither would not, if she showed it, illustrate her name.
1952 G. Sarton Hist. Sci. I. xi. 277 We now come to the greatest mathematician of the century, the first man to illustrate the name of Hippocrates.
5. To throw the light of intelligence upon; to make clear, elucidate, clear up, explain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)]
arecchec885
unloukOE
overrunOE
sutelec1000
trahtnec1000
unfolda1050
belayc1175
openc1175
onopena1200
accountc1300
undo?a1366
remenea1382
interpret1382
unwrap1387
exploitc1390
enlumine1393
declarec1400
expoundc1400
unplait?c1400
enperc1420
planea1425
clearc1440
exponec1440
to lay outc1440
to give (also carry) lightc1449
unwind1482
expose1483
reducea1500
manifest1530
explicate1531
explaina1535
unlock?1536
dilucidate1538
elucidate1538
illustrate1538
rechec1540
explicate1543
illucidate1545
enucleate1548
unsnarl1555
commonstrate1563
to lay forth1577
straighten1577
unbroid1577
untwist1577
decipherc1586
illuminate1586
enlighten1587
resolvec1592
cipher1594
eliquidate1596
to take (a person) with one1599
rivelc1600
ravel1604
unbowel1606
unmist1611
extricate1614
unbolta1616
untanglea1616
enode1623
unperplexa1631
perspicuate1634
explata1637
unravel1637
esclarea1639
clarify1642
unweave1642
detenebrate1646
dismystery1652
undecipher1654
unfork1654
unparadox1654
reflect1655
enodate1656
unmysterya1661
liquidatea1670
recognize1676
to clear upa1691
to throw sidelight on1726
to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731
eclaircise1754
irradiate1864
unbraid1880
predigest1905
to get (something) straight1920
disambiguate1960
demystify1963
1538 Bible (Coverdale) Prol. Thou shalt see that one translation declareth, openeth, and illustrateth another.
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 116 Argument that is brought to confirme, and illustrate must be more manifest..then that which is to be confirmed, and illustrated.
1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 77 When Revelation had illustrated the obscure Text of Reason.
1793 T. Beddoes Let. to E. Darwin 29 Many experiments upon animals, tending to illustrate this important subject.
1874 C. Kingsley Lett. (1878) II. 452 You have..illustrated it by quotations and metaphors which are sound and to the point.
6. To make clear or evident by means of examples, to elucidate; to give an example, instance, or illustration of; to exemplify. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > illustrate or show by instances or examples
bisaumple?c1225
exemplate1602
instance1608
illustrate1612
sample1613
exemplarize1641
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)] > with examples
sympathize1600
illustrate1612
sample1613
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xiii. 183 Illustrated by a few moe examples.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. ii. iv. 76 I can illustrate this Doctrine of Lysicles by examples.
1783 W. Thomson in R. Watson & W. Thomson Hist. Reign Philip III vi. 457 To illustrate the advantages of vigilance and foresight.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 162 Perhaps no single circumstance more strongly illustrates the temper of the precisians than their conduct respecting Christmas day.
1863 O. M. Mitchel Astron. of Bible iii. 168 The subject is difficult. Permit me to illustrate.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iii. §4. 129 No city better illustrates the transformation of the land in the hands of its Norman masters.
1895 F. Hall in Nation (N.Y.) 61 363/2 Very likely the usage which has been illustrated is a good deal older.
7. To elucidate (a description, etc.) by means of drawings or pictures; to ornament (a book, etc.) in this way with elucidatory designs. Said also of the pictures themselves.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > book > illustration of books > illustrate [verb (transitive)]
illustrate1638
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 128 That the cleerest grounds an Artist is able to propound, are yet illustrated and cleered by Picture.
1676 J. Ray Corr. (1848) 123 [Few readers are] willing to take the pains to read..such [anatomical] descriptions, unless illustrated by figures.
1773 J. Hawkesworth Acct. Voy. Southern Hemisphere Introd. p. xiv The engravings which illustrate and adorn the account of this voyage.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 3 20 I shall subjoin two curious cases..together with a drawing to illustrate one of them.
1827 W. Hone Table Bk. I. 171 A gentleman engaged to assist in illustrating this work.
1873 H. B. Tristram Land of Moab i. 3 His camera illustrated the results of the expedition with about 80 excellent photographs.
1891 Daily News 9 Apr. 3/5 Journals which did not formerly illustrate now do so, and book and magazine literature are more than ever illustrated to meet the popular taste.
ΚΠ
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician xix. 680 Some Cephalicks..though they be less grateful to the Palate or Stomach..yet illustrate the Brain.
Derivatives
illustrating n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > [adjective]
explanativea1500
expositive1535
resolutory1567
interpretative1569
expounding1571
illustrating1589
explanatory1600
explicative1602
explicatory1606
expository1628
clarifying1630
illustrative1643
luciferous1648
omnilucent1651
explaining?1683
illustratorya1734
elucidatory1774
elucidative1822
irradiativea1834
expositional1845
resolvent1856
enucleating1862
expositionary1882
luminant1891
interpreting1892
clarificatory1945
FYI1973
1589 A. Jenkinson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations ii. 374 To the illustrating of the Queenes most excellent maiestie, the honour and commoditie of this her highnesse realme.
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 157 It hath speciall use in illustrating, and amplifying.
1681 J. Flavell Method of Grace ix. 197 An illustrating work of the Spirit upon the minds of sinners.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 49 Our liberty..has a pedigree, and illustrating ancestors. View more context for this quotation
1840 M. Edgeworth Let. 30 Dec. (1971) 574 The illustrating speech of the Irishman to the waiter of ‘I'd wish to have the ham and the butter separate’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1526
v.1526