Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

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

Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly bodies.

“ Radiant luminary.”

Skelton.

Where the great

luminary

. . .
Dispenses light from far.

Milton.

One who illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind;

as, Newton was a distinguished

luminary

Noun.

[L. luminare, from lumen, light.]

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.

One that illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind; as, Bacon and Newton were distinguished luminaries.