lustre

[ luhs-ter ]

/ ˈlʌs tər /

noun, verb (used with or without object), lus·tred, lus·tring. Chiefly British.

luster¹.

Nearby words

lusterware, lustful, lustihood, lustral, lustrate, lustre, lustreware, lustring, lustrous, lustrum, lusty

Definition for lustre (2 of 3)

luster

[ luhs-ter ]

/ ˈlʌs tər /

noun

the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss: the luster of satin.

a substance, as a coating or polish, used to impart sheen or gloss.

radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.

radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory: achievements that add luster to one's name.

a shining object, especially one used for decoration, as a cut-glass pendant or ornament.

a chandelier, candleholder, etc., ornamented with cut-glass pendants.

any natural or synthetic fabric with a lustrous finish.

Also called metallic luster. an iridescent metallic film produced on the surface of a ceramic glaze.

Mineralogy. the nature of a mineral surface with respect to its reflective qualities: greasy luster.

verb (used with object)

to finish (fur, cloth, pottery, etc.) with a luster or gloss.

verb (used without object)

to be or become lustrous.

Also especially British, lus·tre.

Origin of luster

1515–25; < Middle French lustre < Italian lustro, derivative of lustrare to polish, purify < Latin lūstrāre to purify ceremonially, derivative of lūstrum lustrum

SYNONYMS FOR luster

1 See polish.

ANTONYMS FOR luster

1 dullness.

Related forms

lus·ter·less, adjective

Definition for lustre (3 of 3)

luster

[ luhs-ter ]

/ ˈlʌs tər /

noun

lustrum(def 1).

Also especially British, lus·tre.

Origin of luster

1375–1425; late Middle English lustre < Latin lūstrum. See lustrum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lustre

Buonaparte has placed himself at the head of that nation by deeds which cast a lustre on his name.
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. II (of 16)|Thomas Hart Benton
David Hume was but recently dead, and the lustre of his name remained.
Robert Burns|Gabriel Setoun
Shed on us the lustre of your glory, for one light loses nothing by imparting some of its brilliancy to another.
The Letters of Cassiodorus|Cassiodorus (AKA Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator)
His countenance, radiant with health and the lustre of innocence, was at the same time thoughtful and resolute.
Coningsby|Benjamin Disraeli

He was listening with a serious, confident eagerness, as if he knew she could say nothing to dim the Prophet's lustre.
The Lions of the Lord|Harry Leon Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for lustre

lustre

US luster

/ (ˈlʌstə) /

noun

reflected light; sheen; gloss

radiance or brilliance of light

great splendour of accomplishment, beauty, etc

a substance used to polish or put a gloss on a surface

a vase or chandelier from which hang cut-glass drops

a drop-shaped piece of cut glass or crystal used as a decoration on a chandelier, vase, etc

a shiny metallic surface on some pottery and porcelain
(as modifier)lustre decoration

mineralogy the way in which light is reflected from the surface of a mineral. It is one of the properties by which minerals are defined

verb

to make, be, or become lustrous

Derived Forms

lustreless or US lusterless, adjectivelustrous, adjective

Word Origin for lustre

C16: from Old French, from Old Italian lustro, from Latin lustrāre to make bright; related to lustrum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for lustre

luster

[ lŭs′tər ]

The shine from the surface of a mineral. Luster is important in describing different kinds of minerals. It is usually characterized as metallic, glassy, pearly, or dull.