lustr-, lust-

1. To shed light upon or to brighten up: Jane said she will try to illustrate what she means by the objectives of the committee when she talks with the whole group.
2. To clarify something by giving examples or making comparisons so as to clearly show or to explain: Dr. Johnson used several examples to illustrate his point in the physics lecture.
3. To provide explanatory or decorative pictures to accompany a printed, a spoken, or an electronic text: After graduating from Art College, Joyce got a job illustrating children's books.
4. Etymology: from Latin in-, "throughly" + lustrare, "to illuminate"; from Latin lumen, "light".

1. An example or a comparison that helps to simplify or to explain something: The illustrations which the guide provided helped the tourists understand more about mountain ecology.
2. The art or process of producing or providing pictures to accompany a text: The author hired an artist to present beautiful illustrations for his new edition of children's fairy stories.
3. The action or fact of making clear or evident to the mind; setting forth clearly or pictorially: The action of the twins was a perfect illustration of sibling rivalry when they both wanted to have the same blue lunch pail.

Serving or tending to make clear or to elucidate; presenting examples: During her speech on human rights, Dr. Split provided some of the most illustrative cases of violations that Mark had heard.

Being an example or explaining something so others can comprehend what is going on: The woman sitting next to Marcus on the train wiped her eyes as she was reading a letter; it was an illustratively simple gesture which made him think that she was very sad about what she was reading.

Someone who gives or draws images so other people can comprehend what is written in a book or periodical: The book publisher, Mr. Howard, hired several clever illustrators during the summer to draw special pictures for a new magazine that was to be printed.

1. Relating to being extremely celebrated, well-known or eminent because of past achievements; prestigious and deservedly famous: Helen had a very illustrious career on stage as an actress before going to Hollywood to star in several films.
2. A reference to possessing glory or recognition by reason of a high birth or a rank or because of some distinguished action or qualities: The illustrious crowd went to the opening day at the Ascot Races where the women were wearing fancy hats. © ALL rights are reserved.
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In a manner that is distinguished and well-known: Charles Dickens was an illustriously renowned author who wrote about many social issues.

1. A soft sheen of reflected light, especially from metal that has been polished gently: The silver box had a fine luster after the housewife polished it.
2. A bright and shiny condition or tone: The luster of the beautiful fabric of the woman's dress enhanced the beauty of her jewels.
3. The glory and magnificence of a great achievement: Sarah B. was not one to bask in the luster of her outstanding career, but she always worked hard with her performances on stage.
4. A chandelier or candelabrum made of cut glass, designed to reflect the light: The exquisite luster presented by the glowing glass of the lucid fixture hanging from the ceiling of the dining room was fantastically beautiful.
5. The quality and amount of effulgence reflected from the surface of a mineral: Measuring luster is one of the ways in which a mineral is defined; the highest degree of luster being "splendent".
6. Brilliancy and brightness: The luster of the holiday lanterns were very impressive and enjoyable. © ALL rights are reserved.

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Serving to purify the spirit, or relating to ceremonies of religious purification: The lustral rites performed by the shaman were ancient and highly respected.

To make someone or something spiritually pure by means of a special religious ceremony: There are those who are convinced that a religious rite; such as, baptism will lustrate the participants.

To make shiny and bright: Marian lustrfies her hair until it falls into shining or gleaming strands.

A glossy silk fabric: Sally Sampson, the football queen, wore a lovely dress made of blue lustrine.

A reference to something that has a soft shine, a sheen, or a gloss: Molly had lustrous curls that were her crowning glory.

In a polished, smooth, glossy manner: The young man worked hard to develop lustrously fine manners and behavior so he would be accepted by his special friends.

1. The historical ceremony of purification or ritual cleansing of the Roman population typically done every five years following a census: The description of the lustrum was accurately recorded in the ancient texts that were discovered in the ruined temple.
2. Etymology: from Latin, "purification"; probably ultimately from an Indo-European word meaning "light, bright".