Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word lustre. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word lustre, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say lustre in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word lustre you have here. The definition of the word lustre will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oflustre, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
(geology) The way in which the surface of any particular type of mineral reflects light differently from other minerals, which is helpful in telling minerals apart.
Various kinds of minerals differ in their lustre; iron pyrites are described as having a metalliclustre, glassy materials a vitreouslustre; others, such as opal, look resinous, and the lustres of yet others are described as being either pearly, or silky, or dull, like earth.
...he went out through the unfamiliar hall, setting the chandelierclashing its dusty lustres with his hand, leaving a prismaticjangle behind him in the empty house.
1838, John Henry Brady, A new pocket guide to London and its environs:
In the centre is painted an eagle, from whose beak an elegant glass lustre chandelier is suspended. There are also ten smaller chandeliers in different parts of the room.
1889, anonymous author, The Journal of Gas Lighting, Water Supply & Sanitary Improvement:
On the ground floor, the library (a room in carved oak) is lighted by a lustre composed of twelve regenerative burners enclosed in tinted glasses.
From either Frenchlustre or Catalanllustre, from Italianlustro, derived from the verb lustrare. A French or Catalan intermediate is likely due to the change in the final vowel, typical of borrowings that are ultimately early Italianisms before the 16th century. Not attested in Old Spanish; first attested in Nebrija.