English Explanatory Dictionary

luster

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The ability or condition of shining with reflected light; sheen, gleam, gloss, sparkle, shine, etc.
  2. The way in which the surface of any particular type of mineral reflects light differently from other minerals, which is helpful in telling minerals apart.
  3. Shining light from within, luminosity, brightness, shine.
  4. Shining beauty, splendor, attractiveness or attraction.
  5. Shining fame, renown, glory.
  6. Polish, social refinement.
  7. A thing exhibiting luster, particularly
  8. Any shining body or thing.
  9. A piece of glass added to a light (especially a chandelier) to increase its luster.
  10. An ornamental light providing luster, especially a chandelier.
  11. A substance that imparts luster to a surface, such as polish, gloss, plumbago, glaze, etc.
  12. The layer of an object that imparts luster, chiefly with regard to ceramics.
verb
  1. To have luster, to gleam, to shine.
  2. To gain luster, to become lustrous.
  3. To give luster, particularly
  4. To make illustrious or attractive, to distinguish.
  5. To coat with a lustrous material or glaze, to impart physical luster to an object.
  6. To shed light on, to illustrate, to show.
  7. Synonym of lustrate, particularly
  8. Synonym of purify, to ritually cleanse or renew.
  9. Synonym of look, to look over, to survey.
noun
  1. Alternative form of lustrum: A five-year period, especially (historical) in Roman contexts.
noun
  1. One who lusts, one inflamed with lust.
noun
  1. Synonym of den: a dwelling-place in a wilderness, especially for animals.
name
  1. A surname from German.

Pronunciation

/ˈlʌstɚ/ en-us-luster.ogg

Word forms

luster lusters lustre lustering lustered

Etymology

From Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustro, from Old Italian lustrare (“brighten”), from Latin lūstrō (“to purify, to brighten”), from Latin lūstrum (“purification ritual”).

Synonyms

lustrate purify to ritually cleanse or renew look to look over to survey den

Antonyms

dullness

Related words

illustrate illustration illustrious lustral lustrate lustration lustrical lustrific lustrification lustrine lustrum perlustrate

Derived words

deluster lackluster luster bowl luster china luster fabric luster fleece lusterful luster goods luster jug lusterless lustermaker lusterment luster mottling luster mug luster process luster teapot luster tile luster trade lusterware luster wool lustery lustrify lustrious lustriously lustriousness lustrous lustered lustering

Translations

Dutch: opluisteren Finnish: kiillottaa Spanish: lustrar
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