† illustreadj.

Forms: Also 1500s illuster, illustare, illustir.

Etymology: < French illustre (15th cent. in Hatzfeld & Darmesteter) illustrious, < Latin illustris clear, bright, lustrous, plain, evident, distinguished, famous.

Obsolete.

Illustrious.

ΘΚΠ

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

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 100 Illuster Lodovick, of France most cristin king.

?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Uiv ^v Ryght illustre and prosperous lady.

1550 J. Veron Godly Saiyngs Ep. Ded. sig. A.viii^v The faythful subiectes of this victoriouse and illustre realme.

1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Ciij The deuine and Illuster Poëte, Salust du Bartas.

1612 J. Monipennie Abridgem. Sc. Chron. I. 4 Some of the valiant illustre noble acts of your Highness.

a1657 G. Daniel Idyllia in Poems (1878) IV. v. 66 Illustre Bassa.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

† illustrev.

Etymology: < French illustre-r to light up, illumine (obsolete), render illustrious, illustrate, < Latin illustrāre (see illustrate v.).

Obsolete.

1. transitive. To light up, illumine; to brighten.

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

1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xxvii. 96 To go sprede abrode his newe lyght to illustre and illumyne the landes.

1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. i. 19 And all illustred with Lights radiant shine.

1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 44 With Vertues lustre Thou oughtst (at least) thy Greatnes to illustre.

2. To render illustrious or distinguished; to confer distinction upon.

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 This noble acte illustreth your fame above al your ancesters.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxj For to decore and illustre the same assembly..thei shall..do some faire feate of armes.

1657 T. Reeve God's Plea for Nineveh 46 As ye valew your places, illustre them.

Derivatives

iˈllustred adj. made illustrious. In quot. 1616 used punningly with reference to a possible formation from il- prefix², meaning ‘having no lustre’.

ΘΚΠ