different between understanding vs illumination

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?nd??stand??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??nd??stænd??/
• Rhymes: -ænd??
• Hyphenation: un?der?stand?ing

Noun

understanding (countable and uncountable, plural understandings) (with of, but with for in sense of "sympathy")

1. (gerund, uncountable) The act of one that understands or comprehends; comprehension; knowledge; discernment.
2. (countable) Reason or intelligence, ability to grasp the full meaning of knowledge, ability to infer.
3. (countable) Opinion, judgement or outlook.

4. (countable) An agreement of minds; harmony; something mutually understood or agreed upon.
   1. An informal contract; mutual agreement.

   2. A reconciliation of differences.

5. (uncountable) Sympathy.

Derived terms

• peace that passeth understanding

Translations

See also

• intellection

Adjective

understanding (comparative more understanding, superlative most understanding)

1. Showing compassion.
2. (dated) Knowing; skilful.

Translations

Verb

understanding

1. present participle of understand

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French illumination, from Late Latin illuminatio, from Latin illumino.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /??lum??ne???n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??l(j)um??ne???n/
• Rhymes: -e???n
• Hyphenation: il?lu?mi?na?tion

Noun

illumination (countable and uncountable, plural illuminations)

1. The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated.
2. Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights.
3. Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See illuminate (transitive verb).
4. (figuratively) Splendour; brightness.
5. (figuratively) Enlightening influence; inspiration.

Synonyms

• lumination (rare)

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin illuminatio, illuminationem, from Latin illumino.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /i.ly.mi.na.sj??/

Noun

illumination f (plural illuminations)

1. enlightenment (philosophy and psychology related to achieving clarity of perception, reason and knowledge)
2. illumination, lighting

Related terms

• illuminer

Further reading

• “illumination” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).