I. ˈlüməˌnerē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English luminarye, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French luminaire lighting, lights, from Late Latin luminaria lamps, plural of luminare lamp, from Latin, window, from lumin-, lumen light; akin to Latin lucēre to shine — more at light
1. : one that is an inspiration to others : one who has achieved success in his chosen field : leading light
played host to a huge gathering of international luminaries — Edmund Stevens
staff will … consist of the luminaries in the field and be doing the most significant research — Alfred Friendly
2. : an artificial light : illumination
lighting of the big new structure with mercury-vapor luminaries on lofty standards — Motor Transportation in the West
3. : a body that gives light ; especially : one of the heavenly bodies
as luminaries … the total amount of light they afford during the night is far inferior to that afforded by our single moon — H.P.Wilkins
II. adjective
Etymology: lumin- + -ary
: of, relating to, or characterized by light
at an unearthly height one luminary clock against the sky — Robert Frost