luster

lus·ter  (lstr)

n.

1. Soft reflected light; sheen.

2. Brilliance or radiance of light; brightness.

3. Glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor, as of achievement, reputation, or beauty.

4. A glass pendant, especially on a chandelier.

5. A decorative object, such as a chandelier, that gives off light.

6. Any of various substances, such as wax or glaze, used to give an object a gloss or polish.

7. The surface glossiness of ceramic ware after glazing, especially the metallic sheen of lusterware.

8. A fabric, such as alpaca, having a glossy surface.

9. The appearance of a mineral surface judged by its brilliance and ability to reflect light.

v. lus·tered, lus·ter·ing, lus·ters

v.tr.

1. To give a gloss, glaze, or sheen to.

2. To give or add glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor to.

v.intr.

To be or become lustrous.

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[French lustre, from Old French, from Old Italian lustro, from lustrare, to make bright, from Latin lstrre, from lstrum, purification; see leuk- in Indo-European roots.]

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luster  (lstr)

The shine from the surface of a mineral. Luster is important in describing different kinds of minerals. It is usually characterized as metallic, glassy, pearly, or dull.

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lustrum, luster, lustre

a period of five years.

See also: Calendar

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	luster - a quality that outshines the usual   brilliancy, splendor, splendour, lustre brightness - the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
	2.	luster - the visual property of something that shines with reflected light sheen, shininess, lustre radiancy, refulgence, refulgency, shine, effulgence, radiance - the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
	3.	luster - a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain lustre glaze - a coating for ceramics, metal, etc.