illustrare

illustrate

verb eel-loo-STRAH-reh Less Common

Origin: from Latin 'illustrare', to light up

Also means

explain

Usage Note

Illustrare means to illustrate a book with pictures but, more often in speech, to explain or set out a plan clearly, as in illustrare un progetto. It is a regular -are verb. The sense of 'explaining' is more common than the artistic one.

Examples

"Il professore illustra la teoria."

Natural Translation

The professor explains the theory.

Literal Translation

The professor illustrates the theory.

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