Word of the Day

: February 4, 2008

luminary

noun LOO-muh-nair-ee

What It Means

1 : a person of prominence or brilliant achievement

2 : a body that gives light; especially : one of the celestial bodies

luminary in Context

The front of the science building is engraved with the names of luminaries from various scientific disciplines.

Did You Know?

Allow us to shed some light on "luminary." It came to English by way of Anglo-French and Late Latin, and it traces back to the Latin word "lumen," meaning "light." Other "lumen" descendants in English include "illuminate" (to light up), "luminous" (emitting light) and "phillumenist" (one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels). "Luminary" has been shining its light in English since the 15th century.