luster1

[luhs-ter] /ˈlʌs tər/
noun
1.
the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss:
the luster of satin.
2.
a substance, as a coating or polish, used to impart sheen or gloss.
3.
radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.
4.
radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory:
achievements that add luster to one's name.
5.
a shining object, especially one used for decoration, as a cut-glass pendant or ornament.
6.
a chandelier, candleholder, etc., ornamented with cut-glass pendants.
7.
any natural or synthetic fabric with a lustrous finish.
8.
Also called metallic luster. an iridescent metallic film produced on the surface of a ceramic glaze.
9.
Mineralogy. the nature of a mineral surface with respect to its reflective qualities:
greasy luster.
verb (used with object)
10.
to finish (fur, cloth, pottery, etc.) with a luster or gloss.
verb (used without object)
11.
to be or become lustrous.
Also, especially British, lustre.
Origin
1515-25; < Middle French lustre < Italian lustro, derivative of lustrare to polish, purify < Latin lūstrāre to purify ceremonially, derivative of lūstrum lustrum
Related forms
lusterless, adjective
Synonyms
1. See polish.
Antonyms
1. dullness.

luster2

[luhs-ter] /ˈlʌs tər/
noun
1.
lustrum (def 1).
Also, especially British, lustre.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English lustre < Latin lūstrum. See lustrum

luster3

[luhs-ter] /ˈlʌs tər/
noun
1.
a person who lusts:
a luster after power.
Origin
1585-95; lust + -er1
Examples from the web for luster
  • Still, space travel has lost much of its luster, and that loss has even rippled through science fiction writing.
  • And it's not as if the two stars have burnished their luster.
  • Even the bill's political luster no longer seems certain.
  • luster's staff understands training, how adults learn, and how they adapt to change.
  • Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem.
British Dictionary definitions for luster

lustre

/ˈlʌstə/
noun
1.
reflected light; sheen; gloss
2.
radiance or brilliance of light
3.
great splendour of accomplishment, beauty, etc
4.
a substance used to polish or put a gloss on a surface
5.
a vase or chandelier from which hang cut-glass drops
6.
a drop-shaped piece of cut glass or crystal used as a decoration on a chandelier, vase, etc
7.
  1. a shiny metallic surface on some pottery and porcelain
  2. (as modifier): lustre decoration
8.
(mineralogy) the way in which light is reflected from the surface of a mineral. It is one of the properties by which minerals are defined
verb
9.
to make, be, or become lustrous
Derived Forms
lustreless, (US) lusterless, adjective
lustrous, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Old French, from Old Italian lustro, from Latin lustrāre to make bright; related to lustrum
Word Origin and History for luster
n.

"gloss, radiance," 1520s, from Middle French lustre "gloss, radiance" (14c.), common Romanic (cf. Spanish and Portuguese lustre, Rumanian lustru, Italian lustro "splendor, brilliancy"), from Latin lustrare "spread light over, brighten, illumine," related to lucere "shine," lux "light" (see light (n.)).

"one who lusts," 1590s, agent noun from lust (v.).

luster in Science
luster
  (lŭs'tər)   
The shine from the surface of a mineral. Luster is important in describing different kinds of minerals. It is usually characterized as metallic, glassy, pearly, or dull.