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adj. 1. a. Emitting light, especially in the dark; shining. b. Reflecting light; illuminated: "He watched a luminous cloud drifting up from the Gulf" (Tim Gautreaux). See Synonyms at bright. 2. Having a high degree of saturation: a luminous green. 3. a. Presented or perceived clearly or vividly: luminous memories. b. Enlightened or intelligent: luminous ideas. [Middle English, from Old French lumineux, from Latin lūminōsus, from lūmen, lūmin-, light; see leuk- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] lumi·nous·ly adv. lumi·nous·ness n. |
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