luminaries

Luminaries is a plural noun that denotes sources of light, either literal or figurative. The term derives from Latin lumen, meaning light, and in English has two principal uses. In astronomy, a luminary is any celestial body that emits light. The sun is the central luminary of the solar system, and other stars are luminaries visible in the night sky. Planets, which reflect sunlight rather than producing their own light, are usually described as illuminated bodies rather than luminaries in a strict sense. The related adjective luminous describes objects that radiate light.

In a figurative sense, luminaries are prominent or influential people within a field or society. As a metaphor, a luminary is someone regarded as a leading light whose ideas or achievements illuminate a domain. This usage appears in biographies, cultural criticism, and journalism, with phrases such as “scientific luminaries of the era” or “cultural luminaries.” The term emphasizes visibility, guidance, and authority rather than mere fame, and it can be used neutrally or with a laudatory tone depending on context.

The term’s dual meanings reflect a broader linguistic tradition of using light as a metaphor for influence and illumination. In contemporary writing, luminary is commonly applied to individuals who have made significant contributions to science, culture, politics, or public life, while the astronomical sense remains a standard descriptor in scientific contexts.