Word: irradiate Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English irradiate (“illuminated, shining”) (more at etymology 1), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Pronunciation: /ɪˈɹeɪdɪeɪt/, /ɪˈɹeɪdiˌeɪt/ 1. To send out (heat, light, or some other form of radiation) in the form of rays; to radiate. Labels: literary, poetic, transitive 2. To make (someone or something) bright by shining light on them or it; to brighten, to illuminate. Labels: literary, often, poetic, transitive Example: Such vvere thy gifts, Pedmálá, ſuch thy povv'r! / For, vvhen thy smile irradiates yon blue fields, / Obſervant Indra ſends the genial ſhovv'r. Example: Thou cheerful light of day! […] thou ſplendid luminary of Natur! thou no longer irradiateſt my eyes or exhilarateſt my ſoul! The ſeaſons ſtill follovv each other, and year ſucceeds to year; but to me day no more returns. 3. To apply radiation other than visible light to (someone or something). Labels: literary, poetic, transitive Example: An inherent protection in labeling of the shipping containers will be the prevention of irradiating the commodity again, insuring that the produce has been treated within the safety limits established by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration]. 4. To apply radiation other than visible light to (someone or something). Labels: literary, poetic, transitive 5. To animate or enliven (one's mood, or soul or spirit). Labels: figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive Example: […] I therefore beseech God to give you his grace and blessing, and the influence of his blessed Spirit, that you may subdue and conquer the temperament of your nature, to do all things well-pleasing to him, and that may irradiate and strengthen your souls and direct you in all things, for there is none that teacheth like him. 6. To cause (one's face) to look beautiful, happy, or lively; to light up. Labels: figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive Example: [W]e regarded with awe and reverence the sublime features of Madame Columbus, now irradiated with triumph. 7. To decorate (a place) splendidly. Labels: figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive Example: No vveeping orphan ſavv his father's ſtores / Our ſhrines irradiate, or emblaze the floors; […] 8. To enlighten (someone, their mind, etc.) intellectually or spiritually; to illuminate, to shed light on. Labels: figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive Example: This book might irradiate your mind Example: And indeed we ought, in these happy intervals, when our understandings are thus irradiated and enlightened, to make a judgment of the state and condition of our souls in the sight of God, and not to take our estimate of it when our understandings are eclipsed, and we are overshadowed with a dark cloud of sadness and melancholy. 9. To send out (something) as if in the form of rays; to diffuse, to radiate, to shed. Labels: figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive Example: Mercury in any geniture, if he ſhall be found in Virgo, or Piſces his oppoſite ſigne, and that in the Horoſcope, irradiated by thoſe quartile aspects of Saturne or Mars, the childe ſhall be mad or melancholy. Example: [H]is ideal of grandeur was a splendid façade, diffusing its brilliancy outward too, irradiating hospitality. 10. To influence (something) as if with rays of heat, light, etc. Labels: figuratively, literary, obsolete, poetic, transitive Example: [T]he neighbouring Spermatick Veſſels are irradiated and virtuated by the kidneys, even as the Brain irradiates the lovver Parts, by an inbred property reſembling light. Example: There muſt be antecedent to it that Ethereal or Solar heat, that muſt digeſt, influence, irradiate, and put theſe more ſimple parts of Matter into motion and coalition: […] 11. To become bright; to brighten, to light up. Labels: intransitive, literary, often, poetic 12. Often followed by on or upon: to emit rays of light; to shine. Labels: intransitive, literary, often, poetic 13. To emit something other than light; to radiate. Labels: figuratively, intransitive, literary, often, poetic Example: [T]he pleaſures of ſenſe have no reliſh vvhere thou [Jesus] irradiateſt and teſtifieſt vvith our conſcience, that vve are the children of God, and have done thy vvill ſincerely, […] 14. To diverge or be sent out in the form of rays. Labels: intransitive, literary, obsolete, often, poetic Example: […] Moſes by approaching to God in the Mount, had a Communication of Glory or Light from him, vvhich irradiated from his Face vvhen he deſcended from the Mount.