illustration
noun/ˌɪləsˈtɹeɪ̯ʃən/ · [ˌɪləsˈtɹ̝̊ʷeɪ̯ʃən] ~ [ˌɪls̩ˈtɹ̝̊ʷeɪ̯ʃn̩]
Etymology Borrowed from Middle French illustration, from Latin illūstrātiō, from illūstrō (“to illustrate”). By surface analysis, illustrate + -ion.
1
The act of illustrating; the act of making clear and distinct.
2
The state of being illustrated, or of being made clear and distinct.
3
Something which illustrates; a comparison or example intended to make clear or apprehensible, or to remove obscurity.
- England will regard it as a measure of justice for Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany in Bloemfontein at the 2010 World Cup - but it was also an illustration of how they rode their luck for long periods in front of a predictably partisan home crowd.2012 June 19, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 20 Aug 2020:
4
A picture designed to decorate a publication, or elucidate a literary work.
- The illustration showing the water cycle made it much easier to understand for the children.
- The sleeve of the band's new CD includes illustrations from deceased former members.
1 more example
- Fossils show that the ancient primate Proconsul africanus, shown in the illustration above, was a tailless tree-dweller.2024 March 23, Mindy Weisberger, “Why don’t humans have tails? Scientists find answers in an unlikely place”, in CNN, archived from the original on 27 Mar 2024:
5
A calculated prevision of insurance premiums and returns (life insurance).
- Derived terms
- illustrational, illustration board, overillustration, photoillustration, reillustration