Definition of luster

< lust

lusterless >

lus·ter    (lstr) KEY 

NOUN:

1. Soft reflected light; sheen.
2. Brilliance or radiance of light; brightness.
3. Glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor, as of achievement, reputation, or beauty.
4. A glass pendant, especially on a chandelier.
5. A decorative object, such as a chandelier, that gives off light.
6. Any of various substances, such as wax or glaze, used to give an object a gloss or polish.
7. The surface glossiness of ceramic ware after glazing, especially the metallic sheen of lusterware.
8. A fabric, such as alpaca, having a glossy surface.
9. The appearance of a mineral surface judged by its brilliance and ability to reflect light.

VERB:
lus·tered, lus·ter·ing, lus·ters
VERB:
tr.

1. To give a gloss, glaze, or sheen to.
2. To give or add glory, radiance, distinction, or splendor to.

VERB:
intr.

To be or become lustrous.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French lustre, from Old French, from Old Italian lustro, from lustrare, to make bright, from Latin lstrre, from lstrum, purification; see leuk- in Indo-European roots