LUSTRE

n. & v. (US luster) --n. 1 gloss, brilliance, or sheen. 2 a shining or reflective surface. 3 a a thin metallic coating giving an iridescent glaze to ceramics. b = LUSTREWARE. 4 a radiance or attractiveness; splendour, glory, distinction (of achievements etc.) (add lustre to; shed lustre on). 5 a a prismatic glass pendant on a chandelier etc. b a cut-glass chandelier or candelabra. 6 a Brit. a thin dress-material with a cotton warp, woollen weft, and a glossy surface. b any fabric with a sheen or gloss. --v.tr. put lustre on (pottery, a cloth, etc.). øølustreless adj. (US lusterless). lustrous adj. lustrously adv. lustrousness n. [F f. It. lustro f. lustrare f. L lustrare illuminate]