luster

The definition of luster is a brightness, shine or special quality, or great fame or honor.

(noun)

When brass is very shiny, this is an example of a time when brass has a special luster.
When a famous person comes to a celebration, this is an example of a time when he adds luster to the celebration.

See luster in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the quality, condition, or fact of shining by reflected light; gloss; sheen
brightness; radiance; brilliance
1. radiant beauty
2. great fame or distinction; glory
1. any of the glass pendants on a chandelier or candlestick
2. a chandelier, etc. adorned with such pendants
a substance used to give luster to an object
a glossy fabric of cotton and wool
the reflecting quality and brilliance of the surface of a mineral
a metallic, sometimes iridescent, appearance given to pottery by a glaze

Origin: Fr lustre < It lustro < lustrare < L, to light, illumine < lustrum, lustrum

transitive verb

intransitive verb

to be or become lustrous

Related Forms:

noun

lustrum (sense )

See luster in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Soft reflected light; sheen.
Brilliance or radiance of light; brightness.
Glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor, as of achievement, reputation, or beauty.
A glass pendant, especially on a chandelier.
A decorative object, such as a chandelier, that gives off light.
Any of various substances, such as wax or glaze, used to give an object a gloss or polish.
The surface glossiness of ceramic ware after glazing, especially the metallic sheen of lusterware.
A fabric, such as alpaca, having a glossy surface.
The appearance of a mineral surface judged by its brilliance and ability to reflect light.

verb lus·tered, lus·ter·ing, lus·ters

verb, transitive