illuminare

to illuminate

verb eel-loo-mee-NAH-reh Rare

Origin: Latin illuminare

Also means

to light up

Usage Note

Illuminare is used both literally (illuminare una stanza = to light a room) and figuratively (illuminare la mente = to enlighten the mind). It takes avere as its auxiliary. The reflexive illuminarsi means to light up or brighten (il suo viso si illuminò = his face lit up). The noun is illuminazione (illumination, enlightenment).

Examples

"Le candele illuminano la sala da pranzo."

Natural Translation

The candles illuminate the dining room.

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