LUMINARY
luminary, leading light, guiding light, notable, notability
(noun) a celebrity who is an inspiration to others; “he was host to a large gathering of luminaries”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
luminary (plural luminaries)
One who is an inspiration to others; one who has achieved success in their chosen field; a leading light.
(archaic) A body that gives light; especially, one of the heavenly bodies.
(archaic) An artificial light; an illumination.
Synonyms
• (one who is an inspiration to others): guiding light
Source: Wiktionary
Lu"mi*na*ry, n.; pl. Luminaries, Etym: [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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition