shine

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To give out or reflect bright light.

   The sun shone brightly all afternoon.

2. 2
   verb

   To point a light at something.

   I shone my torch into the dark cave.

3. 3
   verb

   To polish something until it is bright.

   He shined his shoes before the interview.

4. 4
   verb

   To do something very well and stand out.

   She really shines when she performs on stage.

From the noun shine, or perhaps continuing Middle English schinen in its causative uses, from Old English scīn (“brightness, shine”), and also Middle English schenen, from Old English scǣnan (“to render brilliant, make shine”), from Proto-Germanic *skainijaną, causative of *skīnaną (“to shine”).

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