Also 7–9 luster. [ad. L. lūstrāre: see LUSTRE sb.1]
† 1. trans. a. To render illustrious. b. To throw light upon, illustrate. c. To render specious or attractive. Obs.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. iv. 728. As a Husband’s Nobl’ness doth lustre A mean-born Wife; so [etc.].
1627. W. Sclater, Exp. 2 Thess. (1629), Ep. Ded. A iij. Worthies, loe to you at last; Saint Pauls Antichrist in such lineaments as that Apelles his pencell, or coale rather was pleased to shadow him in. Lustred I say not, vnuailed onely, and made more barefaced.
1637. Gillespie, Eng. Pop. Cerem., II. iv. 20. The Policy then which is most simple and single, and lest lustered with the pompe & bravery of Ceremonies [etc.].
1644. Bp. Maxwell, Prerog. Chr. Kings, i. 17. Our Puritans have from hence learned to colour and lustre their ugly Treasons … with the cloake of Religion.
2. intr. To be or become lustrous. Now rare.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 62. Eeune lyk as her deitee to the Saincts dooth luster in heunblisse.
1637. Heywood, Royal Ship, 27. Her five bright Lanthorns luster round the seas, Shining like five of the seven Hyades.
1729. Savage, Wanderer, III. 326. What bloom, what brightness lusters o’er her cheeks!
1902. Westm. Gaz., 6 Dec., 2/1. Their feathers lustered in the moonlight as they passed.
3. trans. To put a luster upon (cloth, pottery, etc.).
1883. Fisheries Exhib. Catal., 201. Isinglass … used … in lustreing silk ribbons.
