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illustrious

 - 3 dictionary results

il⋅lus⋅tri⋅ous

  [i-luhs-tree-uhs]
Use illustrious in a Sentence
–adjective
1. highly distinguished; renowned; famous: an illustrious leader.
2. glorious, as deeds or works: many illustrious achievements.
3. Obsolete. luminous; bright.
Origin:
1560–70; < L illustri(s) bright, clear, famous (equiv. to illustr(āre) to brighten (see il- 1 , luster 1 ) + -is adj. suffix) + -ous

Related forms:
il⋅lus⋅tri⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
il⋅lus⋅tri⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. celebrated, eminent, famed.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To illustrious
il·lus·tri·ous   (ĭ-lŭs'trē-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Well known and very distinguished; eminent. See Synonyms at noted.

  2. Obsolete Shining brightly.


[From Latin illūstris, from illūstrāre, to give glory to, shine upon; see illustrate.]
il·lus'tri·ous·ly adv., il·lus'tri·ous·ness 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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Word Origin & History

illustrious 
c.1566, from L. illustris "bright, distinguished, famous," back-formation from illustrare "embellish, distinguish, make famous" (see illustration).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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