illuminations
|il-lu-mi-na-tion-s|
🇺🇸
/ɪˌluːməˈneɪʃənz/
🇬🇧
/ɪˌluːmɪˈneɪʃ(ə)nz/
(illumination)
light or enlightenment
Etymology
'illumination' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'illuminare' and the noun 'illuminatio', where the prefix 'in-/il-' (as assimilated) meant 'into/upon' and 'lumin-/lumen' meant 'light'.
'illumination' passed into Middle English from Old French (e.g. Old French 'illumination' / 'illuminer'), which in turn came from Latin 'illuminare'; medieval usage included both the physical act of lighting and the decoration of manuscripts, leading to the modern English 'illumination'.
Initially it chiefly meant 'the action of lighting up' (and also the decoration of manuscripts); over time it broadened to include figurative senses such as intellectual or spiritual 'enlightenment' and modern senses like decorative light displays.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
instances or sources of light; the act or process of lighting things.
The street illuminations helped people find their way during the storm.
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Noun 2
decorative or festive light displays (often seasonal or public displays of lights).
The city's winter illuminations attract tourists from across the region.
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Noun 3
intellectual or spiritual enlightenments; moments of sudden understanding or insight.
The seminar provided several illuminations about how memory works.
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Noun 4
decorative painted or gilded images or embellishments in manuscripts (as in 'illuminated initials' or 'manuscript illuminations').
The museum's exhibit included medieval illuminations from several monasteries.
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Last updated: 2025/11/18 16:56