luminary
Meaning: A person who inspires or influences others, especially one who is prominent in a particular field or sphere of activity.
Luminary carries connotations of brilliance and distinction, implying that the person not only excels but also illuminates the way for others. It is most commonly encountered in formal writing, obituaries, award citations, and cultural journalism. The word often appears in plural form — 'luminaries of the stage' — and collocates with fields such as science, literature, and the arts.
Examples
- The festival attracted luminaries from the worlds of literature, theatre, and classical music. 这个艺术节吸引了文学、戏剧和古典音乐界的杰出人物。El festival atrajo a luminarias de los mundos de la literatura, el teatro y la música clásica.その芸術祭は文学、演劇、クラシック音楽の各界から著名人を集めた。그 축제는 문학, 연극, 클래식 음악 분야의 저명인사들을 끌어모았다.
- As a luminary of twentieth-century physics, she transformed our understanding of quantum mechanics. 作为二十世纪物理学界的泰斗,她改变了我们对量子力学的理解。Como luminaria de la física del siglo XX, transformó nuestra comprensión de la mecánica cuántica.20世紀物理学の巨星として、彼女は量子力学に対する我々の理解を一変させた。20세기 물리학의 거장으로서 그녀는 양자역학에 대한 우리의 이해를 완전히 바꿔 놓았다.
- The obituary described him as a luminary whose influence extended far beyond the corridors of academia. 讣告称他为一位影响力远超学术殿堂的杰出人物。El obituario lo describía como una figura eminente cuya influencia se extendía mucho más allá de los pasillos de la academia.追悼文は、学術の世界をはるかに超えて影響力を及ぼした偉人として彼を描いた。추도사는 그를 학계를 훨씬 넘어 영향력을 발휘한 위인으로 묘사했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, journalism
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From late Latin 'luminare' meaning a light or lamp, derived from 'lumen' (light). The figurative sense of an eminent person who sheds intellectual or moral light dates from the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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