From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Luminary \Lu"mi*na*ry\, n.; pl. {Luminaries}, [F. luminaire, L.
luminare a light or lamp, which was lighted in the churches,
a luminary, fr. lumen, luminis, light, fr. lucere to be
light, to shine, lux, lucis, light. See {Light}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly
bodies. " Radiant luminary." --Skelton.
[1913 Webster]
Where the great luminary . . .
Dispenses light from far. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. One who illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind;
as, Newton was a distinguished luminary.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
luminary
n 1: a celebrity who is an inspiration to others; "he was host
to a large gathering of luminaries" [syn: {luminary},
{leading light}, {guiding light}, {notable}, {notability}]
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