figurative. A source of light; applied poetically (with attributes) to the natural luminaries. In Old English poetry dæg candel, heofon-candel, ro…

A source of illumination. The sun or other celestial object. Now rare.

In plural. With the. With reference to various belief systems, and to systems of cosmology other than that of modern science: the stars (sense…

Chiefly poetic. Any planetary or celestial object, esp. the earth, the globe. In later use only with qualifying adjective, as terrestrial, earthly…

Frequently with distinguishing word. A celestial object (sun, moon, planet, etc.); = heavenly body n. at heavenly, adj. n.compounds 2.

= celestial, adj. n.

(originally) the sun, moon, or a planet (planet, n. 1a); (later also) any star, comet, asteroid, or other celestial object; usually in plural.

= luminary, n.

A natural light-giving body, esp. a celestial body; pre-eminently applied to the sun or the moon. †the luminaries often = the sun and moon.

A luminous heavenly body emitting a continuous stream of light. Obsolete.

In Biblical and derived uses. hostor hosts of heaven (Hebrew ts'bā hashshāmayim) is applied to (a) the multitude of angels that attend upon God…

A planet, star, or other celestial object; the sphere or visible disc of the sun, the moon, or a planet.

Chiefly poetic. More generally: a celestial object; the sun, a star, a planet, or a moon; used with reference either to their actual form (a sphere)…

An orb of the mundane system; a planet or star.

Astronomy. Any of various rocky or gaseous bodies that revolve in approximately elliptical orbits around the sun and are visible by its reflected…

Astronomy. A very large or bright celestial object; spec. a very large star.