brilliant
adjective
- shining brightly
- very intelligent
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈbɹɪljənt/ / /ˈbɹɪ(l)jənt/
adj
Etymology: Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”). By surface analysis, French brill(er) + -i- + -ant.
- Shining brightly.
“the brilliant lights along the promenade”
- Both bright and saturated.
“butterflies with brilliant blue wings”
- Having a sharp, clear tone.
- Of surpassing excellence; magnificent.
“The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.”
“"Thing is," Anahita resumed, and then, faltering, "Mean to say, well, we just think it's great." — "You, she means," Mishal corrected. "We think you're, you know." — "Brilliant," Anahita said and dazzled the bewildered Chamcha with a smile. "Magic. You know. Extreme."”
- Highly intelligent.
“She is a brilliant scientist.”
- Great, wonderful.
“https://youtu.be/aoag03mSuXQ?t=5139s He absolutely could have told us to get lost, and didn't. What a brilliant guy!”
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”). By surface analysis, French brill(er) + -i- + -ant.
- 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.
“This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.”
“On the one, a plain massive band which matched the collar; on the other, a serpent; the tail reached nearly to the elbow, and the head rose a little from the wrist; the tongue of a ruby, the eyes of large brilliants.”
- The size of type between excelsior and diamond, standardized as 4-point.
- Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.
- A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”). By surface analysis, French brill(er) + -i- + -ant.
- To cut (a diamond) with many facets, to make it into a brilliant.
“In short, the diamond owed more to being brillianted and polished, and well set, than to any intrinsic worth or solidity.”