v. & n.
v. (past and past part. shone or shined) 1 intr. emit or reflect light; be bright; glow (the lamp was shining; his face shone with gratitude). 2 intr. (of the sun, a star, etc.) not be obscured by clouds etc.; be visible. 3 tr. cause (a lamp etc.) to shine. 4 tr. (past and past part. shined) make bright; polish (shined his shoes). 5 intr. be brilliant in some respect; excel (does not shine in conversation; is a shining example).
n. 1 light; brightness, esp. reflected. 2 a high polish; lustre. 3 US the act or an instance of shining esp. shoes. shine up to US seek to ingratiate oneself with. take the shine out of 1 spoil the brilliance or newness of. 2 throw into the shade by surpassing. take a shine to colloq. take a fancy to; like. shiningly adv.
[ OE scinan f. Gmc ]