n. Brightness. J. Spence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Emission or reflection of light. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Emitting light, esp. in a continuous manner; radiant; as, shining lamps; also, bright by the reflection of light; as, shining armor. “Fish . . . with their fins and shining scales.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Splendid; illustrious; brilliant; distinguished; conspicious; as, a shining example of charity. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Having the surface smooth and polished; -- said of leaves, the surfaces of shells, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Glistening; bright; radiant; resplendent; effulgent; lustrous; brilliant; glittering; splendid; illustrious. -- Shining, Brilliant, Sparking. Shining describes the steady emission of a strong light, or the steady reflection of light from a clear or polished surface. Brilliant denotes a shining of great brightness, but with gleams or flashes. Sparkling implies a fitful, intense shining from radiant points or sparks, by which the eye is dazzled. The same distinctions obtain when these epithets are figuratively applied. A man of shining talents is made conspicious by possessing them; if they flash upon the mind with a peculiarly striking effect, we call them brilliant; if his brilliancy is marked by great vivacity and occasional intensity, he is sparkling. [ 1913 Webster ]

True paradise . . . inclosed with shining rock. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some in a brilliant buckle bind her waist,
Some round her neck a circling light display. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

His sparkling blade about his head he blest. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]