c. 1400, "a shining;" early 15c., "a manifestation;" mid-15c., "a spiritual illumination," from Old French illustration "apparition, appearance," and directly from Latin illustrationem (nominative illustratio) "vivid representation" (in writing), literally "an enlightening," from past participle stem of illustrare "light up, make light, illuminate;" figuratively "make clear, disclose, explain; adorn, render distinguished," from assimilated form of in- "in" (see in- (2)) + lustrare "make bright, illuminate," related to lucere "shine," lux "light" (see light (n.)). Mental sense of "act of making clear in the mind" is from 1580s. Meaning "an illustrative picture" is from 1816.
实用例句
1. The illustration shows a cluster of five roses coloured apricot orange.
插图上是一簇杏橙色的玫瑰，一共5朵。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Perhaps the accompanying illustration will explain it.
可能所附的图表能对此作出解释。
来自柯林斯例句
3. the art of book illustration
书籍插图的艺术
来自《权威词典》
4. This illustration shows a vertical section through the locust.
本图所示为蝗虫的纵剖面.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. By way of illustration I'll refer to the behavior of rabbits.
