luminary

luminary
luminary (n.) mid-15c., "lamp, source of (artificial) light," from O.Fr. luminarie (12c.), "lamp, lights, lighting; candles; brightness, illumination," from L.L. luminare "light, torch, lamp, heavenly body," lit. "that which gives light," from L. lumen (gen. luminis) "light," related to lucere "to shine" (see LIGHT (Cf. light) (n.)). Sense of "notable person" is first recorded 1690s, though the M.E. word also had a figurative sense of "source of spiritual light, example of holiness."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Luminary — Lu mi*na*ry, n.; 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}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Any body …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Luminary — ist der Name eines Trance Projekts. Im Jahr 2002 begannen der britische Produzent Laurence Rapaccioli und die US amerikanische Sängerin Ashley Tomberlin ihre Zusammenarbeit. Laurence Rapaccioli war damals schon unter dem Psydoneum Arksun bekannt …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • luminary — index mastermind Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • luminary — [n] very important person big name*, celeb*, celebrity, dignitary, eminence, leader, lion*, name, notability, notable, personage, personality, somebody*, star, superstar, VIP*, worthy; concepts 352,423 …   New thesaurus

  • luminary — ► NOUN (pl. luminaries) 1) a person who inspires or influences others. 2) literary a natural light giving body, especially the sun or moon …   English terms dictionary

  • luminary — [lo͞o′mə ner΄ē] n. pl. luminaries [OFr luminarie < LL(Ec) luminarium < L luminare: see ILLUMINATE] 1. a body that gives off light, such as the sun or moon 2. a) a person who sheds light on some subject or enlightens mankind; famous… …   English World dictionary

  • Luminary — (Roget s Thesaurus) >Source of light, self luminous body. < N PARAG:Luminary >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 luminary luminary Sgm: N 1 light light &c. 420 Sgm: N 1 flame flame &c.(fire) 382 GRP: N 2 Sgm: N 2 spark spark …   English dictionary for students

  • Luminary — Origins = The luminaries were what traditional astrologers called the two astrological planets which were the brightest and most important objects in the heavens, that is,* the Sun and * the Moon The Sun and Moon were well established rulers of… …   Wikipedia

  • luminary — noun (plural naries) Etymology: Middle English luminarye, from Anglo French & Late Latin; Anglo French luminaire light, luminary, from Late Latin luminaria, plural of luminare lamp, heavenly body, from Latin, window, from lumin , lumen light;… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • luminary — UK [ˈluːmɪnərɪ] / US [ˈlumɪˌnerɪ] noun [countable] Word forms luminary : singular luminary plural luminaries formal one of the people most admired in a particular profession …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”