Lexic.us

Definition of Brilliant

1. Adjective. Of surpassing excellence. "A superb actor"

2. Adjective. Having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence. "A brilliant solution to the problem"

3. Adjective. Characterized by grandeur. "The splendid coronation ceremony"

4. Adjective. Having striking color. "A bird with vivid plumage"

5. Adjective. Full of light; shining intensely. "Brilliant chandeliers"

6. Adjective. Clear and sharp and ringing. "The brilliant sound of the trumpets"

Definition of Brilliant

1. a. Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a brilliant star.

2. n. A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is rendered more brilliant. It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below.

Definition of Brilliant

1. Adjective. shining brightly ¹

2. Adjective. (context: of a colour) both light and saturated ¹

3. Adjective. (context: of a voice or sound) having a sharp, clear tone ¹

4. Adjective. (context: dated except UK) of surpassing excellence ¹

5. Adjective. (context: dated except UK) magnificent or wonderful ¹

6. Adjective. highly intelligent ¹

7. Noun. a finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Brilliant

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Brilliant

brigue brigued brigues briguing briguings brik briks brill brill-zinsser disease briller

brillest brilliance brilliances brilliancies brilliancy brilliant brilliant green brilliant green salt agar brilliant pebble brilliant rummynose tetra

brilliant rummynose tetras brilliant vital red brilliant yellow brilliantine brilliantined brilliantines brilliantining brilliantly brilliantness brilliants

Literary usage of Brilliant

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Mathematical Monthly by Mathematical Association of America (1922)
"On account of the fineness of the mesh of the screen, consecutive brilliant points are close together, and it is the aggregate of these closely packed ..."

2. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"Although a less brilliant man than his brother the Elder Dupin, he may have a more lasting reputation on account of his discoveries in geometry. ..."

3. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1889)
"It is a brilliant picture of Napoleon as he appeared in his daily life, depicting the personality of the Emperor with extraordinary vividness and ..."

4. Peru by William Hickling Prescott (1900)
"He had a brilliant exterior; excelled in all martial exercises ; rode well, ... 16 While thus, by his brilliant exploits and showy manners he captivated the ..."

5. The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex by Charles Darwin (1898)
"Many of the lower animals, whether hermaphrodites or with separate sexes, are ornamented with the most brilliant tints, or are shaded and striped in an ..."

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