Reading Theme:
Illustration: Definition, Usage & Clear Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：visual explanation (illustration)
illustration
/ˌɪləˈstreɪʃn/
n.
a picture in a book, magazine, or other publication that makes the text easier to understand or more interesting to look at.
visual explanation
➕
/ˈvɪʒuəl ˌekspləˈneɪʃn/
n.
A picture, diagram, or artwork included with text to provide visual information, enhance understanding, or add decorative appeal.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'illustrare' (to light up, make bright, explain). 'In-' (in, upon) + 'lustrare' (to illuminate).
💡 Mnemonic
ILLUSTRATE your story with an ILLUSTRATION. It ILLUMINATES the meaning.
📖 Example
The children's science book was filled with colorful illustrations of dinosaurs and planets.
The science book intended for children contained many bright and detailed pictures depicting dinosaurs and planets.
🔗 Collocations
book illustration – a picture created specifically for a book
colorful illustration – a picture with many bright and varied colors
detailed illustration – a picture with many small and precise parts shown clearly
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
blank page (n.) – a page with no text or images
🌱 Derivatives
illustrate (v.) – to provide with pictures; to explain or make clear by using examples, charts, or pictures
illustrative (adj.) – serving as an example or explanation
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'illustrare', meaning 'to light up' or 'make clear'. Initially used in the 14th century for the act of illumination, it evolved by the 1600s to mean 'a picture that explains or decorates text', reflecting the idea of 'shedding light' on a subject.
Meaning 2：explanatory example (illustration)
illustration
/ˌɪləˈstreɪʃn/
n.
an example or story used to make an idea or situation clearer and easier to understand.
explanatory example
➕
/ɪkˈsplænətəri ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/
n.
An example, analogy, or anecdote used to clarify a complex idea, principle, or situation by making it more concrete and relatable.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
To explain the concept of teamwork, the coach gave a clear illustration about how geese fly in a V formation to save energy.
In order to describe the idea of working together effectively, the coach provided a helpful example involving the energy-saving flight pattern of geese.
🔗 Collocations
by way of illustration – as an example to demonstrate the point being made
a perfect illustration – an example that ideally demonstrates a principle or fact
serve as an illustration – to function as an example that clarifies something
🔄 Synonyms
example (n.) – a specific case used to represent a general rule or idea
instance (n.) – a particular occurrence or case used as an example
case in point (n.) – a relevant example that supports the argument being made
🚫 Antonyms
obscurity (n.) – the state of being unclear, unknown, or difficult to understand
🌱 Derivatives
illustrate (v.) – to explain or make clear by using examples, charts, or pictures
illustrative (adj.) – serving as an example or explanation
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