lustre

[ luhs-ter ]

/ ˈlʌs tər /

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

luster¹.

Words nearby lustre

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

Definition for lustre (2 of 3)

luster¹

[ 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM luster

lus·ter·less, adjective

Definition for lustre (3 of 3)

luster²

[ 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 of lustre

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.