Luminous means giving off light or glowing, or being very bright and easy to see. It can also describe something that is mentally or spiritually inspiring and clear.
From Latin 'luminosus,' meaning 'full of light,' from 'lumen' meaning 'light.' The figurative sense of mental brightness came later.
When we call an idea or piece of writing 'luminous,' we’re borrowing from physics: it’s like a lamp in your mind, not just a decoration. The brain loves light metaphors—understanding is 'illumination,' confusion is 'darkness.'
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