illustration

Etymology

From Middle French illustration, from Latin illūstrātiō, from illūstrō (“I illustrate”). Morphologically illustrate + -ion

noun

1. The act of illustrating; the act of making clear and distinct;
2. The state of being illustrated, or of being made clear and distinct.
3. Something which illustrates; a comparison or example intended to make clear or apprehensible, or to remove obscurity.
   England will regard it as a measure of justice for Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany in Bloemfontein at the 2010 World Cup - but it was also an illustration of how they rode their luck for long periods in front of a predictably partisan home crowd. June 19, 2012, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport
4. A picture designed to decorate a publication, or elucidate a literary work.
   The illustration showing the water cycle made it much easier to understand for the children.
   The sleeve of the band's new CD includes illustrations from deceased former members.
5. A calculated prevision of insurance premiums and returns (life insurance)