illustrious Copy link Outline 1. clārus (famous or distinguished in any way)2. illustris, e (brought prominently forward, enjoying distinction)3. inclĭtus, also, -[)y]tus, -ŭtus (poet.)4. cĕlĕber, bris, bre5. splendĭdus (highly distinguished • illustrious: 1. clārus (famous or distinguished in any way): i. by descent and achievements, c. genere et factis, Liv.: i. professors, c. professores, Suet.: a most i. victory, victoria clarissima, Cic. Join: [viri] clari et honorati, Cic. Sen. 7, 22: amplissimus et clarissimus, id. de Or. 1, 45, 198. 2. illustris, e (brought prominently forward, enjoying distinction): the name of Themistocles is more i. (better known) than that of Solon, Themistoclis nomen quam Solonis illustrius, Cic. Off. 1, 22, 75. (At a late period, illustris was an honorary title of senators of the highest rank but in the best ages, the senators were all styled clarissimi.--Forc.) 3. inclĭtus, also, -[)y]tus, -ŭtus (poet.): Virg.: v. renowned. 4. cĕlĕber, bris, bre: v. famous, celebrated. 5. splendĭdus (highly distinguished: esp. of one who belonging to a less eminent class, enjoys distinction beyond the rest): Maecenas., belonging to an equestrian but yet i. family, M. equestri sed sp. genere natus, Vell. 2, 88: cf. Cic. Fin. 2, 18, 58, C. Plotius, eques Romanus splendidus.