eminence
/ˈɛmɪnəns
/noun
1 [mass noun] Fame or acknowledged superiority within a particular sphere: her eminence in cinematography...
- The Edinburgh operation is in a very healthy situation, we are encountering very significant growth, and we can build on our core talents to operate from a position of eminence and strength in these competitive markets.
- Salieri, who has risen from humble origins to his position of eminence through sheer hard work, is a deeply devout man.
- While retaining strong connections with his roots, he progressed inexorably from unexceptional beginnings to a position of some eminence in Vienna.
Synonyms
illustriousness, distinction, renown, pre-eminence, notability, greatness, calibre, prestige, importance, reputation, repute, note;
fame, celebrity, prominence;
stature, standing, rank, station
2 [count noun] An important or distinguished person: the Lord Chancellor canvassed the views of various legal eminences...
- The great railway barons, corrupt legislators, and assorted judicial eminences who made the legal history of American railroads are given only the most scant personal attention.
- The male cheerleader was something of a campus eminence, regarded as an up-and-coming entrepreneur and future captain of industry.
- This was the perfect voice to carry pop culture through the mid-60s, till things went tragic and the Beatles turned into eminences cloistered enough to be their own parodies.
Synonyms
important person, influential person, distinguished person, dignitary, luminary, worthy, grandee, notable, notability, personage, leading light, VIP
informal somebody, someone, bigwig, big shot, big noise, big gun, big cheese, nob, lady muck, heavyweight
North American informal big wheel, big kahuna, top banana, big enchilada
2.1 (His/Your Eminence) A title or form of address given to a Roman Catholic cardinal: His Eminence, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey...
- The Church was dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary on 3 October 1875 by His Eminence Paul Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin…
- So the Community is particularly touched this evening by the visit of His Eminence, Cardinal Rodriguez and the topic of the Lecture, ‘Signs of Hope’.
- The parade will be reviewed from the steps of Saint Patrick's Cathedral by His Eminence Cardinal Edward Eagan, Archbishop of New York.
3 formal or literary A piece of rising ground: an eminence commanding the River Emme...
- Join us for five days of hiking around Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn Peaks, complete with deep valleys, rocky eminences, alpine tundra, and towering mountains.
- Upriver loomed the rocky eminence of Nephin Mountain.
- A striking iceberg that I had seen photos of before had two foothill eminences joined at the top by a soaring St. Louis Gateway Arch of ice.
Synonyms
elevation, rise, rising/raised ground, height, hill, bank, mound
3.1 Anatomy A slight projection from the surface of the body: a swelling on the lower surface of the brain termed the median eminence...
- The neurohypophysis proper comprises the median eminence of the tuber cinereum, the infundibulum, the pituitary stalk, and the posterior or neural lobe of the pituitary gland.
- They are separated by an upward projection called the intercondylar eminence.
- Therefore, all bony structures of the face, including the malar eminences, orbital rims, zygomatic arches, mandible, and teeth, should be carefully inspected and palpated for irregularity or tenderness.
Origin
Middle English: from Latin eminentia, from eminere 'jut, project'.