v. Obs. Also 4–5 enlumyne, enlomyne. [a. OF. enlumine-r, ad. late L. inlūmināre (in classical Lat. illūmināre), f. in- (see IN-) + lūmen, lūmin-is light. Cf. ILLUMINE, ILLUMINATE, ALLUMINE. In sense 4 the word assumed the aphetic forms LUMINE, LIMN, the latter of which survives with modified sense.]
1. trans. To light up, illuminate; also transf.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, VIII. 228. Thair speris, thair pennownys, & thar scheldis Of licht Illumynit [v.r. enlumymyt] all the feldis.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., III. xix. 176. The Sonne … enlumineth alle the other by his beaulte.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 488. So were ye powers of her soule enlumined with the orient beames of his diuine inspiration.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. Prol. 7. That same great glorious lampe of light, That doth enlumine all these lesser fyres.
b. To give sight to.
1495. Caxton, Vitas Patr. (W. de W.), III. viii. 320 a. How fyue lytyll lyons beyng blynde were enlumyned by an holyman.
2. fig. To enlighten (ignorance, etc.); to throw light upon (a subject).
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 86. Theorike principalle … is enlumined Of wisdome.
c. 1400. Test. Love, I. (1560), 272 b/2. Worldes and cloud atweene us twey woll not suffer my thoughts of hem to be enlumined.
c. 1430. Lydg., Lyfe & Pass. St. Albon (1534), A. ij. In hope his influence shall shyne My tremblyng penne by grace to enlumyne.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 121. Strengthynge the body, the herte enlumynynge.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 56. This kinde of people, enlumined by the Prince of darkenes … did rayse out of hell, this newfangled monster of Transubstantiation.
3. To light, kindle (a fire).
1475. Caxton, Jason, 19. Whiche enlumyned in him so terryble a fyre.
4. [Cf. med.L. lumina (lit. ‘lights’) the paintings in a MS.] To illuminate, adorn (MSS.) with colored designs or miniatures. Also fig.
c. 1366. Chaucer, A. B. C., 73. Kalendeeres enlumyned ben þei.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 1695. For it so welle was enlomyned.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, Prol. For he enlumineth by craft and cadence, This noble storye with many freshe coloure Of Rethorik.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. cc. (cxciv.) 609. I had engrosed in a fayre boke well enlumyned.
5. fig. To shed luster upon, render illustrious or brilliant.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Clerke’s T., Prol. 33. Fraunces Petrark … Enlumyned al Ytaille of poetrie.
c. 1450. Merlin, xx. 326. Xij sones, where-of the londe of Bretaigne was after enlumyned.
1579. E. K., in Spenser’s Sheph. Cal., Ep. Ded. Those rough and harsh tearmes enlumine … the brightnesse of brave and glorious wordes.
