brilliant

Etymology

From French brillant, from Medieval Latin as if *berilare (“to sparkle like a beryl or other precious stone”), from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”).

Pronunciation

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• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹɪljənt/

Adjective

brilliant (comparative more brilliant, superlative most brilliant)

1. Shining brightly.

   the brilliant lights along the promenade

2. (of a colour) Both bright and saturated.

   butterflies with brilliant blue wings

3. (of a voice or sound) having a sharp, clear tone
4. Of surpassing excellence.

   The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.

5. Magnificent or wonderful.
6. Highly intelligent.

   She is a brilliant scientist.

Noun

brilliant (countable and uncountable, plural brilliants)

1. A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Alexander Pope

     This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.

   • 1891, Arthur Conan Doyle, A Case of Identity

     “And the ring?” I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.

2. (uncountable, printing, dated) The size of type between excelsior and diamond, standardized as 4-point.
3. Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.
4. A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.

Further reading

• brilliant in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• brilliant in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• brilliant at OneLook Dictionary Search

Etymology

French brillant.

Noun

brilliant

1. brilliant.

References

• Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002) Ukrajinsʹko-krymsʹkotatarsʹkyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary]‎, Simferopol: Dolya, →ISBN