luminary
/ˈluːmɪn(ə)ri
/noun (plural luminaries)
1A person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere: one of the luminaries of child psychiatry...
- By the time the Navy approached Albert Einstein and other prominent Princeton scientific luminaries for help in these matters, they had tried a number of methods to achieve their goal.
- This is the sort of thing jazz luminaries do these days to make a living.
- Those in the habit of bemoaning Montreal's supposedly dead art scene will be biting their tongues hard this summer as imported art stars, local luminaries and great talents invade our galleries, museums and green spaces.
Synonyms
leading light, guiding light, inspiration, leader, expert, master, panjandrum, dignitary, VIP;
star, superstar, megastar, celebrity, celebutante, big name, household name, somebody, name;
notable, public figure, important personage, lion, legend, great, giant
informal bigwig, big shot, big cheese, biggie, celeb
2 archaic A natural light-giving body, especially the sun or moon.Since the most productive of heat and warmth are Cancer and Leo, they assigned these to the greatest and most powerful heavenly bodies, the luminaries, as houses....
- There are 10 planets in Astrology, beginning with the Sun and the Moon, which are also known as luminaries.
- The Moon's orb of around 12 degrees is also that which separates the luminaries when the new crescent Moon reappears after conjunction.
2.1An artificial light.We offer an exciting range of lighting and luminaries that have the ability to accentuate, to harmonize, to enhance, and to convey a mood....
- Designed to simulate conditions just about anywhere on the planet, each height-adjustable light pole is equipped with three different kinds of highway luminaries.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French luminarie or late Latin luminarium, from Latin lumen, lumin- 'light'.