Also 7–8 brillant. [a. F. brillant shining, pr. pple. of briller to shine, corresp. to Pr. and Sp. brillar, Pg. brilhar, It. brillare, commonly taken as formed on a L. type *berillāre, f. late L. berill-us (Isid.), L. beryllus BERYL. Littré notices that the verb is not found in Fr. before the 16th c., when it appears to have been taken from one of the cognate langs.]

1

  1.  Brightly shining, glittering, sparkling, lustrous.

2

1681.  Blount, Glossogr., Brillant (Fr.), glittering, sparkling, shining.

3

1696.  Phillips, Brilliant, glittering, casting forth a sparkling Light.

4

1720.  Kersey, Brillant [as in Blount & Phillips].

5

1791.  Hamilton, Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. Introd. 1. The beauty of brilliant colours.

6

1859.  Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, 60. There is always a stronger sense of life when the sun is brilliant after rain.

7

1878.  Huxley, Physiogr., 75. As brilliant as a piece of polished silver.

8

  2.  fig. a. Of qualities and actions: Splendid, illustrious, distinguished, striking the imagination.

9

1758.  Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., IV. cx. 109. The carnival is expected to be more brilliant than common, from the great concourse of noble strangers.

10

1769.  Junius Lett., xxiv. 114. Wit is oftentimes false, though it may appear brilliant.

11

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 242. A man of solid, though not brilliant parts.

12

1867.  Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 312. It is impossible that prospects could be more brilliant.

13

  b.  Of persons: Very distinguished or celebrated; esp. distinguished by talent and cleverness; having showy good qualities.

14

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 531. The stern and pensive William relaxed into good humour when his brilliant guest appeared. Ibid., II. 230. He found a brilliant circle of noblemen and gentlemen assembled.

15

1871.  Morley, Voltaire (1886), 7. Fontenelle was both brilliant and far-sighted.

16

  † B.  as sb. = BRILLANT. Obs.

17

1691.  Fop Dict. Suppl., The Brilliant of Language. Sharpness and wittiness of Expression.

18

1694.  Congreve, Double Dealer, II. i. (Jod.). Some distinguished quality, as for example the bel air, or brilliant of Mr. Brisk.

19