Bril"liant , n. [F. brillant. See Brilliant, a.]
1. A diamond or
other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is
rendered more brilliant.
It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or
collet, parallel
to the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of elongated
facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below.
This snuffbox -- on the hinge
see brilliants shine.
Pope.
2. (Print.) The smallest size of type
used in England printing.
&fist;
This line is printed in the
type called Brilliant.
3. A kind
of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Bril"liant (br&ibreve;l"yant), a. [F. brillant,
p. pr. of
briller to shine or sparkle (cf. Pr. & Sp.
brillar, It. brillare), fr. L. beryllus a precious stone of sea-green
color, Prov. It. brill. See Beryl.]
1. Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a
brilliant star.
2. Distinguished by qualities
which excite admiration; splendid; shining; as, brilliant talents.
Washington was more solicitous to avoid fatal mistakes than to perform brilliant exploits.
Fisher Ames.
Syn. -- See Shining.
Hear it pronounced