Illustrious

illustrious
    adj 1: widely known and esteemed; "a famous actor"; "a
           celebrated musician"; "a famed scientist"; "an
           illustrious judge"; "a notable historian"; "a renowned
           painter" [syn: {celebrated}, {famed}, {far-famed},
           {famous}, {illustrious}, {notable}, {noted}, {renowned}]
    2: having or conferring glory; "an illustrious achievement"
    

Illustrious \Il*lus"tri*ous\, a. [L. illustris, prob. for
   illuxtris; fr. il- in + the root of lucidus bright: cf. F.
   illustre. See {Lucid}.]
   1. Possessing luster or brightness; brilliant; luminous;
      splendid.
      [1913 Webster]

            Quench the light; thine eyes are guides illustrious.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Characterized by greatness, nobleness, etc.; eminent;
      conspicuous; distinguished.
      [1913 Webster]

            Illustrious earls, renowened everywhere. --Drayton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Conferring luster or honor; renowned; as, illustrious
      deeds or titles.

   Syn: Distinguished; famous; remarkable; brilliant;
        conspicuous; noted; celebrated; signal; renowened;
        eminent; exalted; noble; glorious. See {Distinguished},
        {Famous}.
        [1913 Webster]
    

ILLUSTRIOUS, adj.  Suitably placed for the shafts of malice, envy and
detraction.
    

38 Moby Thesaurus words for "illustrious":
      acclaimed, bright, brilliant, celebrated, charismatic, conspicuous,
      distinguished, eminent, esteemed, famed, famous, glamorous,
      glorious, great, honored, important, lofty, lustrous, magic,
      notable, noted, numinous, outstanding, prominent, radiant,
      renowned, respected, resplendent, shining, signal, splendent,
      splendid, splendorous, splendrous, striking, sublime, venerable,
      well-known