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illustrious - 4 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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Illustrious

Il*lus"tri*ous\, a. [L. illustris, prob. for illuxtris; fr. il- in + the root of lucidus bright: cf. F. illustre. See Lucid.]

1. Possessing luster or brightness; brilliant; luminous; splendid.

Quench the light; thine eyes are guides illustrious. --Beau. & Fl.

2. Characterized by greatness, nobleness, etc.; eminent; conspicuous; distinguished.

Illustrious earls, renowened everywhere. --Drayton.

3. Conferring luster or honor; renowned; as, illustrious deeds or titles.

Syn: Distinguished; famous; remarkable; brilliant; conspicuous; noted; celebrated; signal; renowened; eminent; exalted; noble; glorious. See Distinguished, Famous.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : illustrious
Spanish: ilustre,
German: berühmt,
Japanese: 傑出した
More Translations »

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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