illumination

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French illumination, from Late Latin illuminatio, from Latin illumino. Equivalent to illuminate +‎ -ion.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ɪˌlumɪˈneɪʃən/
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɪˌl(j)umɪˈneɪʃən/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪʃən
  • Hyphenation: il‧lu‧mi‧na‧tion

Noun

illumination (countable and uncountable, plural illuminations)

  1. The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated.
    The room was filled with soft illumination from the candles.
    Streetlights provide illumination at night.
  2. Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights.
  3. Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See illuminate (transitive verb).
  4. (figurative) Splendour; brightness.
  5. (figurative) Enlightening influence; inspiration.
    The philosopher’s work gave intellectual illumination to many.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin illuminātiōnem, from Latin illuminō.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /i.ly.mi.na.sjɔ̃/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Audio (France (Lyon)):(file)

Noun

illumination f (plural illuminations)

  1. enlightenment (philosophy and psychology related to achieving clarity of perception, reason and knowledge)
  2. illumination, lighting

Further reading