- Luster
- Luster Lus"ter, Lustre Lus"tre, n. [F. lustre; cf. It.
lustro; both fr. L. lustrare to purify, go about (like the
priests at the lustral sacrifice), traverse, survey,
illuminate, fr. lustrum a purificatory sacrifice; perh. akin
to E. loose. But lustrare to illuminate is perhaps a
different word, and akin to L. lucere to be light or clear,
to shine. See {Lucid}, and cf. {Illustrious}, {Lustrum}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Brilliancy; splendor; brightness; glitter.
[1913 Webster]
The right mark and very true luster of the diamond. --Sir T. More. [1913 Webster]
The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its luster, to the noonday sky. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
Note: There is a tendency to limit the use of luster, in this sense, to the brightness of things which do not shine with their own light, or at least do not blaze or glow with heat. One speaks of the luster of a diamond, or of silk, or even of the stars, but not often now of the luster of the sun, a coal of fire, or the like. [1913 Webster]
2. Renown; splendor; distinction; glory. [1913 Webster]
His ancestors continued about four hundred years, rather without obscurity than with any great luster. --Sir H. Wotton. [1913 Webster]
3. A candlestick, chandelier, girandole, or the like, generally of an ornamental character. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
4. (Min.) The appearance of the surface of a mineral as affected by, or dependent upon, peculiarities of its reflecting qualities. [1913 Webster]
Note: The principal kinds of luster recognized are: metallic, adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, pearly, and silky. With respect to intensity, luster is characterized as splendent, shining, glistening, glimmering, and dull. [1913 Webster]
5. A substance which imparts luster to a surface, as graphite and some of the glazes. [1913 Webster]
6. A fabric of wool and cotton with a lustrous surface, -- used for women's dresses. [1913 Webster]
{Luster ware}, earthenware decorated by applying to the glazing metallic oxides, which acquire brilliancy in the process of baking. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
