radiant
adjectivenounattested in dialogue
- //ˈɹeɪ.di.ənt//
Radiating light and/or heat.
adjective
- 1
Radiating light and/or heat.
the radiant sun
They in ranks / Sat all, where ſtood the fiery ſteeds of each, / And where his radiant arms lay on the field.
The couple's sustainability efforts also included installing radiant heat under the concrete-slab floor.
- 2
Emitted as radiation.
- 3
figurativeBeaming with vivacity and happiness.
a radiant face
His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ “Phil ! You ! Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow !” recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.
Nurse Cramer had a cute nose and a radiant, blooming complexion dotted with fetching sprays of adorable freckles that Yossarian detested.
- 4
figurativeStrikingly beautiful.
And yet she was ensnaringly beautiful, despite her pride and self-consciousness; radiant and certain of conquest she stood before the man who alone seemed to have neither eye nor ear for charms that had never elsewhere played her false.
- 5
Emitting or proceeding as if from a center.
- 6
Giving off rays.
the sun radiant
a crown radiant
- 7
Having a ray-like appearance, like the large marginal flowers of certain umbelliferous plants; said also of the cluster which has such marginal flowers.
Etymology
From Middle English radyant, from Latin radiāns, radiantis, present participle of radiāre (“to emit rays or beams”).
noun
- 1
A point source from which radiation is emitted.
- 2
The apparent origin, in the night sky, of a meteor shower.
- 3
A straight line proceeding from a given point, or fixed pole, about which it is conceived to revolve.
Forms
- plural
- radiants
- comparative
- more radiant
- superlative
- most radiant