brilliant

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (file)
  • IPA(key): /ˈbɹɪljənt/

Adjective[edit]

brilliant (comparative more brilliant, superlative most brilliant)

  1. Shining brightly.
    the brilliant lights along the promenade
  2. (of a colour) Both bright and saturated.
    butterflies with brilliant blue wings
  3. (of a voice or sound) Having a sharp, clear tone.
  4. (Britain) Of surpassing excellence.
    The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.
  5. (Britain) Magnificent or wonderful.
  6. Highly intelligent.
    She is a brilliant scientist.

Synonyms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun[edit]

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

brilliant (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.
  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.

Descendants[edit]

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Crimean Tatar[edit]

Etymology[edit]

French brillant.

Noun[edit]

brilliant

  1. brilliant.

Declension[edit]

References[edit]

  • Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002) Ukrajinsʹko-krymsʹkotatarsʹkyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary]‎[1], Simferopol: Dolya, →ISBN