lustre
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.the soft, bright shine that comes from a surface like metal, silk, or a gemstone.
n.the quality or state of shining by reflecting light; a gentle sheen or soft radiance.
Simple“The old silver coins had lost their lustre after years in the drawer.”
In context“The silk fabric possessed a natural lustre that caught the candlelight, making the gown appear to glow from within during the evening reception.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
n.the way a mineral looks when light reflects off its surface.
n.the appearance of a mineral surface in terms of its light-reflective qualities, categorized as metallic or non-metallic.
Simple“Geologists use lustre to help identify different types of rocks and minerals.”
In context“The specimen was identified as galena due to its distinct metallic lustre and cubic cleavage planes.”
Synonymsreflectance - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a special quality that makes something or someone seem impressive or famous.
n.a metaphorical radiance or brilliance; the prestige or glory associated with a person or achievement.
Simple“The scandal added no lustre to the politician's already damaged reputation.”
In context“The presence of several Nobel laureates added considerable lustre to the international physics conference.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to make something shine or look bright.
v.to impart a sheen or gloss to a surface; to make something lustrous.
Simple“The craftsman worked for hours to lustre the wood until it shone.”
In context“The final stage of the process involves a specialized oil used to lustre the leather, ensuring a deep and lasting finish.”
“But as the rains begin to return, what can gardeners do to restore their garden's luster?”
From Middle French lustre. See luster (etymology 1).
From Middle English lustre, from Latin lustrum, from Old Latin *loustrom, of uncertain origin. More at lustrum.
From Latin lustra (“wilds, woods”), thought to derive from unattested dustrum, from unattested Ancient Greek δύστρον (*dústron, “place animals wallow”), from δύω (dúō, “to plunge, to wallow”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.