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Webster 1913 Edition

Luminary

Lu′mi-na-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Luminaries
(#)
,
[F.
luminaire
, L.
luminare
a light or lamp, which was lighted in the churches, a luminary, fr.
lumen
,
luminis
, light, fr.
lucere
to be light, to shine,
lux
,
lucis
, light. See
Light
.]
1.
Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly bodies.
“ Radiant luminary.”
Skelton.
Where the great
luminary
. . .
Dispenses light from far.
Milton.
2.
One who illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind;
as, Newton was a distinguished
luminary
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Luminary

LU'MINARY

,
Noun.
[L. luminare, from lumen, light.]
1.
Any body that gives light, but chiefly one of the celestial orbs. The sun is the principal luminary in our system. the stars are inferior luminaries.
2.
One that illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind; as, Bacon and Newton were distinguished luminaries.

Definition 2024

luminary

luminary

English

Noun

luminary ‎(plural luminaries)

  1. One that is an inspiration to others; one who has achieved success in his chosen field; a leading light.
    played host to a huge gathering of international luminaries -- Edmund Stevens
  2. An artificial light; an illumination.
  3. A body that gives light; especially, one of the heavenly bodies.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

body that gives light

External links

  • luminary in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • luminary in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Etymology

From Old French luminarie ‎(“lamp, lights, lighting; candles; brightness, illumination”) (French luminaire), from Late Latin luminaria, from luminare, from lumen.

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