illustrate

[ il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt ]
/ ˈɪl əˌstreɪt, ɪˈlʌs treɪt /

verb (used with object), il·lus·trat·ed, il·lus·trat·ing.

to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
Archaic. to enlighten.

verb (used without object), il·lus·trat·ed, il·lus·trat·ing.

to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples: To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.

Origin of illustrate

1520–30; < Latin illustrātus past participle of illustrāre to illuminate, make clear, give glory to. See il-1, luster1, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM illustrate

Example sentences from the Web for illustrate

British Dictionary definitions for illustrate

illustrate
/ (ˈɪləˌstreɪt) /

verb

to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
(tr) to be an example or demonstration of
(tr) to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
(tr) an archaic word for enlighten

Derived forms of illustrate

illustratable, adjective illustrative, adjective illustratively, adverb illustrator, noun

Word Origin for illustrate

C16: from Latin illustrāre to make light, explain, from lustrāre to purify, brighten; see lustrum