ILLUMINA'TION, noun The act of illuminating or rendering luminous; the act of supplying with light.

1. The act of rendering a house or a town light, by placing lights at the windows, or in elevated situations, as a manifestation of joy; or the state of being thus rendered light.

2. That which gives light.

The sun--is an illumination created.

3. Brightness; splendor.

4. Infusion of intellectual light; an enlightening of the understanding by knowledge, or the mind by spiritual light.

5. The act, art or practice of adorning manuscripts and books with pictures.

6. Inspiration; the special communication of knowledge to the mind by the Supreme Being.

Hymns and psalms--are framed by meditation beforehand, or by prophetical illumination are inspired.