luminous (ˈluːmɪnəs
)
Definitions
adjective
- radiating or reflecting light; shining; glowing ⇒
luminous colours
- (not in technical use) exhibiting luminescence ⇒
luminous paint
- full of light; well-lit
- (of a physical quantity in photometry) evaluated according to the visual sensation produced in an observer rather than by absolute energy measurements ⇒
luminous flux
luminous intensity
Compare radiant - easily understood; lucid; clear
- enlightening or wise
Alternative Forms
ˈluminously adverb ˈluminousness nounWord Origin
C15: from Latin lūminōsus full of light, from lūmen lightSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
bright,
lighted,
lit,
brilliant,
shining,
glowing,
vivid,
illuminated,
radiant,
resplendent,
lustrous,
luminescent,
Usage examples
There was a print in the window, a medieval painting of a crucified Christ with a luminous golden background.
, THE EXECUTION (2002)Blended with blacks, peacock blues and creams, it can endow garments with a luminous effect that is at once regal and sombre.
India Today (1996)The radioactivity in the instrument dump came from radium 266 used in the luminous markings on old instruments.
New Zealand Herald (2003)They open from grey furred winter buds, and when in full flower, the shrub is bright and luminous.
Times, Sunday Times (2002)(Contrast quasars, where the nucleus is more luminous than the galaxy.
, The Fontana history of Astronomy and Cosmology (1994)