alumbrar

to illuminate

verb ah-loom-BRAHR Rare

Also means

to give birth

Usage Note

Alumbrar primarily means to light up or illuminate a space (alumbrar el camino = to light the way). A second, more literary or regional sense means 'to give birth' (alumbró un niño = she gave birth to a boy), where the idea is of bringing a new being into the light. The noun alumbrado refers to public lighting (el alumbrado público), and alumbrado as an adjective means slightly drunk in colloquial speech.

Examples

"Las velas alumbraban la habitación tenuemente."

Natural Translation

The candles dimly illuminated the room.

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