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



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Word of the Day

29 May 2025

CRITICAL

(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee has initially been a food – chewed, not sipped. Early African tribes consume coffee by grinding the berries together, adding some animal fat, and rolling the treats into tiny edible energy balls.

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