luminary
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- a celebrity who is an inspiration to others“he was host to a large gathering of luminaries”Synonyms: leading lightguiding lightnotablenotability
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Luminary \Lu"mi*na*ry\, n.; pl. Luminaries, [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.] [1913 Webster]
1.Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly bodies. " Radiant luminary." --Skelton. [1913 Webster]
Where the great luminary . . . Dispenses light from far.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
2.One who illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind; as, Newton was a distinguished luminary. [1913 Webster]
The Devil's Dictionary
LUMINARY, n. One who throws light upon a subject; as an editor by not writing about it.