n. 1. Soft reflected light; sheen. 2. Brilliance or radiance of light; brightness. 3. Glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor, as of achievement, reputation, or beauty. 4. A glass pendant, especially on a chandelier. 5. A decorative object, such as a chandelier, that gives off light. 6. Any of various substances, such as wax or glaze, used to give an object a gloss or polish. 7. The surface glossiness of ceramic ware after glazing, especially the metallic sheen of lusterware. 8. A fabric having a glossy surface. 9. The appearance of a mineral surface judged by its brilliance and ability to reflect light. v. lus·tered, lus·ter·ing, lus·ters v.tr. 1. To give a gloss, glaze, or sheen to. 2. To give or add glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor to. v.intr. To be or become lustrous. [French lustre, from Old French, from Old Italian lustro, from lustrare, to make bright, from Latin lūstrāre, from lūstrum, purification; see leuk- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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