illumination

Il*lu`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. illuminatio: cf. F. illumination.] 1. The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated. 2. Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights. 3. Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See Illuminate, v. t., 3. 4. That which is illuminated, as a house; also, an ornamented book or manuscript. 5. That which illuminates or gives light; brightness; splendor; especially, intellectual light or knowledge. The illumination which a bright genius giveth to his work. Felton. 6. (Theol.) Defn: The special communication of knowledge to the mind by God; inspiration. Hymns and psalms . . . are framed by meditation beforehand, or by prophetical illumination are inspired. Hooker.

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