brilliant

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   characterized by grandeur

   the brilliant court life at Versailles

2. 2
   adj

   of surpassing excellence

   a brilliant performance

3. 3
   adj

   Shining brightly.

   the brilliant lights along the promenade

4. 4
   adj

   Both bright and saturated.

   butterflies with brilliant blue wings

5. 5
   adj

   Of surpassing excellence; magnificent.

   The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.

6. 6
   adj

   Highly intelligent.

   She is a brilliant scientist.

7. 7
   adj

   Great, wonderful.

   https://youtu.be/aoag03mSuXQ?t=5139s He absolutely could have told us to get lost, and didn't. What a brilliant guy!

8. 8
   noun

   A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.

   This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.

Etymology

Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”).