illuminant

[ ih-loo-muh-nuhnt ]

noun

1. an illuminating illuminating agent or material.

illuminant

/ ɪˈluːmɪnənt /

noun

1. something that provides or gives off light

adjective

1. giving off light; illuminating

Other Words From

• nonil·lumi·nant noun
• unil·lumi·nant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminant¹

1635–45; < Latin illūminant- (stem of illūmināns ) present participle of illūmināre to light up, brighten, equivalent to illūmin- ( illumine ) + -ant- -ant

Example Sentences

As time passed, and the new illuminant was backward in appearing, the shares recovered their old value.

From Project Gutenberg

The general illuminant is electricity, and both electrical and gas services are owned by the municipality.

From Project Gutenberg

So that, light for light, acetylene fouls the air less than any ordinary illuminant excepting the Welsbach gas burner.

From Project Gutenberg

Owing to the lack of a good illuminant the bulk of the people retire with the fowls and rise with the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Acetylene gives a light which is nearest to sunlight of any artificial illuminant.

From Project Gutenberg