from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Luminous \Lu"mi*nous\, a. [L. luminosus, fr. lumen light: cf. F.
lumineux. See {Luminary}, {Illuminate}.]
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1. Shining; emitting or reflecting light; brilliant; bright;
as, the is a luminous body; a luminous color.
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Fire burneth wood, making it . . . luminous.
--Bacon.
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The mountains lift . . . their lofty and luminous
heads. --Longfellow.
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2. Illuminated; full of light; bright; as, many candles made
the room luminous.
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Up the staircase moved a luminous space in the
darkness. --Longfellow.
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3. Enlightened; intelligent; also, clear; intelligible; as, a
luminous mind. " Luminous eloquence." --Macaulay. " A
luminous statement." --Brougham.
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{Luminous paint}, a paint made up with some phosphorescent
substance, as sulphide of calcium, which after exposure to
a strong light is luminous in the dark for a time.
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Syn: Lucid; clear; shining; perspicuous.
[1913 Webster] -- {Lu"mi*nous*ly}, adv. --
{Lu"mi*nous*ness}, n.
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