luminary

[ loo-muh-ner-ee ]
/ ˈlu məˌnɛr i /

noun, plural lu·mi·nar·ies.

a celestial body, as the sun or moon.
a body, object, etc., that gives light.
a person who has attained eminence in his or her field or is an inspiration to others: one of the luminaries in the field of medical science.

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by light.

Origin of luminary

1400–50; late Middle English luminarye < Medieval Latin lūmināria lamp. See luminaria

Example sentences from the Web for luminary

British Dictionary definitions for luminary

luminary
/ (ˈluːmɪnərɪ) /

noun plural -naries

a person who enlightens or influences others
a famous person
literary something, such as the sun or moon, that gives off light

adjective

of, involving, or characterized by light or enlightenment

Word Origin for luminary

C15: via Old French, from Latin lūmināre lamp, from lūmen light