- illustration
- late 14c., "a spiritual illumination," from O.Fr. illustration, from L. illustrationem (nom. illustratio) "vivid representation" (in writing), lit. "an enlightening," from illustrare "light up, embellish, distinguish," from in- "in" + lustrare "make bright, illuminate." Mental sense of "act of making clear in the mind" is from 1580s. Meaning "an illustrative picture" is from 1816. Illustrate "educate by means of examples," first recorded 1610s. Sense of "provide pictures to explain or decorate" is 1630s.