51Թ

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View synonyms for

illustrate

[ il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

illustrated, illustrating.
  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)

illustrated, illustrating.
  1. to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples:

    To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.

illustrate

/ ˈɪəˌٰɪ /

verb

  1. to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
  2. tr to be an example or demonstration of
  3. tr to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
  4. tr an archaic word for enlighten
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܲˌٰٲ, adjective
  • ˈܲˌٰپ, adjective
  • ˈܲˌٰپly, adverb
  • ˈܲˌٰٴǰ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • lܲ·ٰa· adjective
  • v·lܲ·ٰٱ verb (used with object) overillustrated overillustrating
  • ·lܲ·ٰٱ verb (used with object) preillustrated preillustrating
  • ·lܲ·ٰٱ verb (used with object) reillustrated reillustrating
  • p·lܲ·ٰٱ verb (used with object) superillustrated superillustrating
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of illustrate1

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin ٰܲٳܲ, past participle of ٰܲ “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to”; il- 1, luster 1, -ate 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of illustrate1

C16: from Latin ٰܲ to make light, explain, from ٰܲ to purify, brighten; see lustrum
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They only gain a semblance of self-evident truth through age and familiarity, as the legend of John Frum illustrates.

From

The focus on the control-room panic illustrates how these corporate narratives shape the myth of the American Dream, effectively deconstructing the fantasy that any of this was ever about luck at all.

From

Hurley’s talents were manifold — he designed and illustrated most of his charming hand-drawn album art, and learned a diversity of instruments including banjo and fiddle.

From

As Tesla's slumping sales may illustrate, only part of this story is about the response of governments.

From

But goals are far from the only metric that illustrates United's struggles.

From

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