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illustrate - 4 dictionary results

il⋅lus⋅trate

  [il-uh-streyt, i-luhs-treyt] verb, -trat⋅ed, -trat⋅ing.
Use illustrate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
2. to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
3. Archaic. to enlighten.
–verb (used without object)
4. to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples: To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.
Origin:
1520–30; < L illustrātus ptp. of illustrāre to illuminate, make clear, give glory to. See il- 1 , luster 1 , -ate 1

Related forms:
il⋅lus⋅trat⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To illustrate
il·lus·trate   (ĭl'ə-strāt', ĭ-lŭs'trāt')   
v.   il·lus·trat·ed, il·lus·trat·ing, il·lus·trates

v.   tr.
    1. To clarify, as by use of examples or comparisons: The editor illustrated the definition with an example sentence.
    2. To clarify by serving as an example or comparison: The example sentence illustrated the meaning of the word.
  2. To provide (a publication) with explanatory or decorative features: illustrated the book with colorful drawings.
  3. Obsolete To 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 Indo-European roots.]
il'lus·trat'a·ble adj., il'lus·tra'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Illustrate

Il*lus"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illustrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Illustrating.] [L. illustratus, p. p. of illustrare to illustrate, fr. illustris bright. See Illustrious.]

1. To make clear, bright, or luminous.

Here, when the moon illustrates all the sky. --Chapman.

2. To set in a clear light; to exhibit distinctly or conspicuously. --Shak.

To prove him, and illustrate his high worth. --Milton.

3. To make clear, intelligible, or apprehensible; to elucidate, explain, or exemplify, as by means of figures, comparisons, and examples.

4. To adorn with pictures, as a book or a subject; to elucidate with pictures, as a history or a romance.

5. To give renown or honor to; to make illustrious; to glorify. [Obs.]

Matter to me of glory, whom their hate Illustrates. --Milton.

Illustrate

Il*lus"trate\, a. [L. illustratus, p. p.] Illustrated; distinguished; illustrious. [Obs.]

This most gallant, illustrate, and learned gentleman. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : illustrate
Spanish: ilustrar,
German: illustrieren,
Japanese: 図・絵を入れる
More Translations »
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