luminary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
    notable; guiding light; leading light; notability.
    • he was host to a large gathering of luminaries

WordNet

Lu"mi*na*ry noun
Etymology
F. luminaire, L. luminare a light or lamp, which was lighted in the churches, a luminary, fr. lumen, luminis, light, fr. lucere to be light, to shine, lux, lucis, light. See Light.
Wordforms
plural
plural Luminaries
Definitions
  1. Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly bodies. " Radiant luminary." Skelton.
    Where the great luminary . . . Dispenses light from far. Milton.
  2. One who illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind; as, Newton was a distinguished luminary.

Webster 1913