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luster

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lus⋅ter

1  [luhs-ter]
Use luster in a Sentence
–noun
1. the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss: the luster of satin.
2. a substance, as a coating or polish, used to impart sheen or gloss.
3. radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.
4. radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory: achievements that add luster to one's name.
5. a shining object, esp. one used for decoration, as a cut-glass pendant or ornament.
6. a chandelier, candleholder, etc., ornamented with cut-glass pendants.
7. any natural or synthetic fabric with a lustrous finish.
8. Also called metallic luster. an iridescent metallic film produced on the surface of a ceramic glaze.
9. Mineralogy. the nature of a mineral surface with respect to its reflective qualities: greasy luster.
–verb (used with object)
10. to finish (fur, cloth, pottery, etc.) with a luster or gloss.
–verb (used without object)
11. to be or become lustrous.
Also, especially British, lustre.

Origin:
1515–25; < MF lustre < It lustro, deriv. of lustrare to polish, purify < L lūstrāre to purify ceremonially, deriv. of lūstrum lustrum

Related forms:
lus⋅ter⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. See polish.

Antonyms:
1. dullness.
Lusters
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lus⋅ter

2  [luhs-ter]
–noun
lustrum (def. 1).
Also, especially British, lustre.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME lustre < L lūstrum. See lustrum

lus⋅ter

3  [luhs-ter]
–noun
a person who lusts: a luster after power.
Origin:
1585–95; lust + -er 1

lus⋅trum

  [luhs-truhm]
–noun, plural -trums, -tra  [-truh] .
1. Also, luster; especially British, lustre. a period of five years.
2. Roman History. a lustration or ceremonial purification of the people, performed every five years, after the taking of the census.
Origin:
1580–90; < L lūstrum; cf. luster 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To luster
lus·ter   (lŭs'tər)   
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, such as alpaca, 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 Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

luster 
c.1522, from M.Fr. lustre "gloss, radiance," common Romanic (cf. Sp., Port. lustre, Rum. lustru, It. lustro "splendor, brilliancy"), from L. lustrare "spread light over, brighten, illumine," related to lucere "shine," lux "light" (see light (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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