I. lus·ter noun
or lus·tre ˈləstə(r)
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English lustre, from Latin lustrum — more at lustrum
: lustrum 2
II. luster noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French lustre, from Old Italian lustro, from lustrare to brighten, from Latin; akin to Latin lucēre to shine — more at light
1.
a. : a glow of reflected light : gloss , sheen
pearl with a beautiful luster
luster of an enameled surface
the highest … luster always points to the straight, smooth hairs which are especially apparent in goat hair, such as mohair — Werner Von Bergen
specifically : the appearance of the surface of a mineral as affected by or dependent upon peculiarities of its reflecting qualities
the luster of minerals can be divided into two types, metallic and nonmetallic — C.S.Hurlbut
the luster of micas is splendent, on cleavage faces sometimes pearly — L.V.Pirsson
b. : a coating or substance that gives luster to a surface
old glass sometimes acquires an iridescent luster due to weathering
lusters are overglaze colors of metallic oxides in an oily medium — D.W.Olson
2.
a. : a glow of light from within : luminosity , shine
luster of the stars
Blue Grotto of the magical luster — Claudia Cassidy
b. : an inner beauty : radiance
one of those figures of spirit and light that leave an unforgettable luster in the mind — Gordon Webber
3.
a. : brilliance , distinction , renown
many Metropolitan stars were on hand to add luster to the season — Ann M. Lingg
his luster , after all, derives not merely from the victories … but also from the nobility with which he invested the Arab world — H.M.Sachar
b. obsolete : a distinction that imparts luster
knighthood, which is … a luster to a family — Thomas Habington
4.
a. : a glass pendant used especially to ornament a candlestick or chandelier
b. : a decorative object (as a chandelier) hung with glass pendants
5.
a. chiefly Britain : a fabric with cotton warp and a filling of luster wool, mohair, or alpaca
b. : luster wool
6. : lusterware
III. luster verb
or lustre “
( lustered or lustred ; lustered or lustred ; lustering or lustring -t(ə)riŋ ; lusters or lustres )
intransitive verb
: to have luster : become lustrous : glint , gleam
their feathers lustered in the moonlight as they passed — Westminster Gazette
transitive verb
1. : to give luster or distinction to
names that have lustered American literature — W.R.Benét
2. : to coat or treat with a substance that imparts luster
lustered Majolica was first made by the Arabs and Saracens — Ernst Rosenthal
lustered cotton is … weaker than cotton mercerized without tension — G.S.Fraps
IV. lust·er ˈləstə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: lust (II) + -er
: one that lusts
V. luster noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin lustrum cave, bog — more at pollute
obsolete : cave