Hypertext Webster Gateway: "brilliant"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Brilliant \Bril"liant\, n. [F. brillant. See {Brilliant}, a.]
1. A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into
faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light,
by which it is rendered more brilliant. It has at the
middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which
is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a
bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to
the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of
elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose
diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the
surface, and is flat below.
This snuffbox -- on the hinge see brilliants shine.
--Pope.
2. (Print.) The smallest size of type used in England
printing.
Note: This line is printed in the type called Brilliant.
3. A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Brilliant \Bril"liant\ (br[i^]l"yant), a. [F. brillant, p. pr.
of briller to shine or sparkle (cf. Pr. & Sp. brillar, It.
brillare), fr. L. beryllus a precious stone of sea-green
color, Prov. It. brill. See {Beryl}.]
1. Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a
brilliant star.
2. Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration;
splendid; shining; as, brilliant talents.
Washington was more solicitous to avoid fatal
mistakes than to perform brilliant exploits.
--Fisher Ames.
Syn: See {Shining}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
brilliant
adj 1: of surpassing excellence; "a brilliant performance"; "a
superb actor" [syn: {superb}]
2: having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence;
"some men dislike brainy women"; "a brilliant mind"; "a
brilliant solution to the problem" [syn: {brainy}, {smart
as a whip}]
3: characterized by or attended with brilliance or grandeur;
"the brilliant court life at Versailles"; "a glorious work
of art"; "magnificent cathedrals"; "the splendid
coronation ceremony" [syn: {glorious}, {magnificent}, {splendid}]
4: having striking color; "bright greens"; "brilliant
tapestries"; "a bird with vivid plumage" [syn: {bright}, {vivid}]
5: full of light; shining intensely; "a brilliant star";
"brilliant chandeliers"
6: clear and sharp and ringing; "the bright sound of the
trumpet section"; "the brilliant sound of the trumpets"
[syn: {bright}]
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