Luminary
/ˈluː.mɪ.nɛr.i/noun
A person who inspires or influences others, especially in intellectual or artistic fields.
Did you know?The term 'luminary' has been linked to celestial bodies, suggesting that influential figures are seen as guiding lights in the darkness of ignorance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lewk-
“to shine, to be light”
Latin
Latin
lūminārius
“pertaining to light, light-giving”
Late Latin
Latin
lūminārium
“light source, celestial body”
Old French
Old French
luminaire
“a source of light, a celestial body”
Middle English
Middle English
luminary
“a source of light; a person who inspires or influences”
Explore more surprising origins