Etymology of the English word illustrious
the English word
illustriousderived from the Latin word
illustris (bright, shining, brilliant)
using the Latin prefix
in- (suffix for no)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ne (not)
derived from the Latin word
illustrare (illuminate, light up; give glory)
derived from the Latin word
lustrare (purify cermonially , cleanse by sacrifice; review, inspect, look around)
derived from the Latin word
lustrum (bog, morass, slough; den of vice, iniquity, place of debauchery; purifying, cleansing ceremony)
derived from the Latin word
lutum (mud, dirt, clay; weld, plant giving yellow dye; the dye)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*leuk- (bright, white light)
Date
The earliest known usage of illustrious in English dates from the 16th century.
Usage
Word found in Modern English
