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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary lu·mi·nary (plural -nar·ies) 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; akin to Latin lucēre to shine — more at light DATE 15th century 1. a person of prominence or brilliant achievement 2. a body that gives light; especially : one of the celestial bodies • luminary adjective English Etymology luminary mid-15c., "source of (artificial) light," from M.Fr . luminarie "lamp, light," 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 (n.)). Sense of "notable person" is first recorded 1690s.http://M.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 luminary lu·mi·nary / 5lu:minEri; NAmE -neri / noun(pl. -ies) a person who is an expert or a great influence in a special area or activity 专家；权威；有影响的人物 Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun 1 Synonyms: CELEBRITY 2, big name, ||celeb, name, notability, notable, somebody Related Words: leading light 2 Synonyms: NOTABLE 1, big, ||biggie, big-timer, eminence, leader, lion, nabob, notability, VIPWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged lu·mi·nary I. \ˈlüməˌnerē, -ri\ noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English luminarye, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French luminaire lighting, lights, from Late Latin luminaria lamps, plural of luminare lamp, from Latin, window, from lumin-, lumen light; akin to Latin lucēre to shine — more at light 1. : one that is an inspiration to others : one who has achieved success in his chosen field : leading light < played host to a huge gathering of international luminaries — Edmund Stevens > < staff will … consist of the luminaries in the field and be doing the most significant research — Alfred Friendly > 2. : an artificial light : illumination < lighting of the big new structure with mercury-vapor luminaries on lofty standards — Motor Transportation in the West > 3. : a body that gives light; especially : one of the heavenly bodies < as luminaries … the total amount of light they afford during the night is far inferior to that afforded by our single moon — H.P.Wilkins > II. adjective Etymology: lumin- + -ary : of, relating to, or characterized by light < at an unearthly height one luminary clock against the sky — Robert Frost > |
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