Definition of "brilliant"

brilliant

/ˈbɹɪljənt/

adjective
comparative more brilliant, superlative most brilliant
1. Shining brightly.
2. (of a colour) Both bright and saturated.
3. (of a voice or sound) Having a sharp, clear tone.
4. (Britain) Of surpassing excellence.
5. (Britain) Magnificent or wonderful.
6. Highly intelligent.
noun
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.
  Quotations
  This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.
  1717, Alexander Pope, The Basset-Table
  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.
  1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), page 257
  "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.
  1891 September, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of a Case of Identity”, in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, London: George Newnes, […], published 1892 October 14, page 57
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.

Definition of "brilliant"

brilliant

adjective

noun

Quotations