illumination
nounUS /ɪˌlumɪˈneɪʃən/ · UK /ɪˌl(j)umɪˈneɪʃən/
Etymology Borrowed from Middle French illumination, from Late Latin illuminatio, from Latin illumino. Equivalent to illuminate + -ion.
1
The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated.
- The room was filled with soft illumination from the candles.
- The people hereabouts, sir, would seem to dispense with street illumination, and it is very dark tonight.1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries:
2
Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights.
3
Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See illuminate (transitive verb).
4
Figuratively Splendour; brightness.
5
Figuratively Enlightening influence; inspiration.
- The philosopher’s work gave intellectual illumination to many.
- Synonyms
- lumination
- Derived terms
- bioillumination, counterillumination, endoillumination, global illumination, illuminationism, illuminationist, illumination problem, nonillumination, oblique illumination, overillumination, over-illumination, Phong illumination, photoillumination, postillumination, preillumination, reillumination, retroillumination, structured illumination, structured illumination microscopy, transillumination, underillumination, unillumination
- Related terms
- illuminator