/bril"yeuhns/ , n.
1. great brightness; luster: the brilliance of a fine diamond.
2. excellence or distinction; conspicuous talent, mental ability, etc.
3. splendor, elegance, or magnificence: the brilliance of the court of Louis XIV.
4. Optics. that luminance of a body consisting of its saturation and brightness.
[ 1745-55; BRILLI(ANT) + -ANCE ]
Syn. 1. radiance, effulgence, refulgence. 2. illustriousness, preeminence; genius.
Ant. 1, 2. dullness.