Luminous \Lu"mi*nous\, a. [L. luminosus, fr. lumen light: cf. F. lumineux. See Luminary, Illuminate.]

1. Shining; emitting or reflecting light; brilliant; bright; as, the is a luminous body; a luminous color.

Fire burneth wood, making it . . . luminous. --Bacon.

The mountains lift . . . their lofty and luminous heads. --Longfellow.

2. Illuminated; full of light; bright; as, many candles made the room luminous.

Up the staircase moved a luminous space in the darkness. --Longfellow.

3. Enlightened; intelligent; also, clear; intelligible; as, a luminous mind. `` Luminous eloquence.'' --Macaulay. `` A luminous statement.'' --Brougham.

Luminous paint, a paint made up with some phosphorescent substance, as sulphide of calcium, which after exposure to a strong light is luminous in the dark for a time.

Syn: Lucid; clear; shining; perspicuous. -- Lu"mi*nous*ly, adv. -- Lu"mi*nous*ness, n.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)