Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Luster \Lus"ter\, Lustre \Lus"tre\, n. [F. lustre; cf. It.
   lustro; both fr. L. lustrare to purify, go about (like the
   priests at the lustral sacrifice), traverse, survey,
   illuminate, fr. lustrum a purificatory sacrifice; perh. akin
   to E. loose. But lustrare to illuminate is perh. a different
   word, and akin to L. lucere to be light or clear, to shine.
   See {Lucid}, and cf. {Illustrious}, {Lustrum}.]
   1. Brilliancy; splendor; brightness; glitter.

            The right mark and very true luster of the diamond.
                                                  --Sir T. More.

            The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its
            luster, to the noonday sky.           --Addison.

   Note: There is a tendency to limit the use of luster, in this
         sense, to the brightness of things which do not shine
         with their own light, or at least do not blaze or glow
         with heat. One speaks of the luster of a diamond, or of
         silk, or even of the stars, but not often now of the
         luster of the sun, a coal of fire, or the like.

   2. Renown; splendor; distinction; glory.

            His ancestors continued about four hundred years,
            rather without obscurity than with any great luster.
                                                  --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

   3. A candlestick, chandelier, girandole, or the like,
      generally of an ornamental character. --Pope.

   4. (Min.) The appearance of the surface of a mineral as
      affected by, or dependent upon, peculiarities of its
      reflecting qualities.

   Note: The principal kinds of luster recognized are: metallic,
         adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, pearly, and
         silky. With respect to intensity, luster is
         characterized as splendent, shining, glistening,
         glimmering, and dull.

   5. A substance which imparts luster to a surface, as plumbago
      and some of the glazes.

   6. A fabric of wool and cotton with a lustrous surface, --
      used for women's dresses.

   {Luster ware}, earthenware decorated by applying to the
      glazing metallic oxides, which acquire brilliancy in the
      process of baking.