Brilliant
['brɪlj(ə)nt] or ['brɪljənt]
Definition
(adj.) full of light; shining intensely; 'a brilliant star'; 'brilliant chandeliers' .
(adj.) characterized by grandeur; 'the brilliant court life at Versailles'; 'a glorious work of art'; 'magnificent cathedrals'; 'the splendid coronation ceremony' .
(adj.) of surpassing excellence; 'a brilliant performance'; 'a superb actor' .
Edited by Craig--From WordNet
Definition
(p. pr.) Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a brilliant star.
(p. pr.) Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration; splendid; shining; as, brilliant talents.
(a.) A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is rendered more brilliant. It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below.
(a.) The smallest size of type used in England printing.
(a.) A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Inputed by Elizabeth
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Sparkling, glittering, splendid, lustrous, shining, bright, beaming, radiant, effulgent, refulgent, resplendent.[2]. Illustrious, glorious, celebrated, famous.
n. Diamond (cut into facets).
Inputed by Giles
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Flashing, radiant, shining, lustrous, glorious, luminous, effulgent, beaming,sparkling
ANT:[See BRIGHT]
Inputed by Laura
Definition
adj. sparkling: glittering: splendid.—n. a diamond of the finest cut (as opposed to rose-cut or other patterns).—ns. Brill′iancy Brill′iance.—adv. Brill′iantly.—n. Brill′iantness.
Inputed by Errol
Examples
- She was a warlike power, and inscribed upon her banners many a brilliant fight with Genoese and Turks. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Yellow diamonds are more flashingly brilliant than white stones that cost much more. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- A brilliant liter ary man of the present day considers that places in the first ranks of literature are reserved for the doctrinally heterodox. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- That very afternoon they had seemed full of brilliant qualities; now she saw that they were merely dull in a loud way. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- For Amelia it was quite a new, fresh, brilliant world, with all the bloom upon it. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Mr. Hall spoke oftenest to his brilliant companion, looked most frequently at the quiet one. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I was convinced upon this return trip that there was a future for the horseless carriage, although I did not at that time expect it to be so brilliant and imposing. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Beneath the brilliant light of Mars' two glorious moons the whole scene presented itself in vivid distinctness. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- I should like her to see the place as it is just now; its brilliant cleanliness and perfect neatness are so much to your credit. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Perish a thousand such frail baubles as this Jewess, before thy manly step pause in the brilliant career that lies stretched before thee! Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Her blue, bright dress fluttered in the wind, her thick scarlet stockings were brilliant above the whiteness. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- There was something brilliant in the whole picture. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- A rough diamond is a hard-looking, luminous object, somewhat like a piece of alum, with a dull skin, called the nyf, over a brilliant body. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The imitative artist will be in a brilliant state of intelligence about his own creations? Plato. The Republic.
- This is brilliant indeed! Jane Austen. Emma.
- Her hair was falling over her shoulders; her gown was torn where Rawdon had wrenched the brilliants out of it. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Editor: Nolan