brilliant
//ˈbɹɪl.jənt//
Forms
- Comparative
- more brilliant
- Superlative
- most brilliant
- Plural
- brilliants
- present (v1)
- brilliant
- past (v2)
- brillianted
- past participle (v3)
- brillianted
- present participle
- brillianting
- 3rd person singular
- brilliants
Definitions
1.Shining brightly.
2.Both bright and saturated.
3.Having a sharp, clear tone.
4.Of surpassing excellence; magnificent.
- The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.
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.
- This snuffbox, on the hinge see brilliants shine.
- "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.
2.Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.
3.A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
1.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.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2913
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
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.