celestials

Noun

celestial (plural celestials)

1. An inhabitant of heaven.
   • [K]ing Joue frõ [from] golden throne vproſe / whom home to heauenly court celeſtials garding at did cloſe.1560 August 21 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Virgil, “The Tenth Boke”, in Thomas Phaer, transl., The Nyne Fyrst Bookes of the Eneidos of Virgil Converted into Englishe Vearse […], with So Muche...
2. (in plural) A thing from heaven; also, a heavenly quality.
   • The tabernacle alſo & al the veſſel of the miniſterie he in like maner ſprinkled vvith bloud. And al things almoſt according to the lavv are cleanſed vvith bloud: and vvithout ſheading of bloud there is not remiſſion. It is neceſſarie therfore that the examplers of the cœleſtials be cleanſed vvith...1582, The Nevv Testament of Iesus Christ: […] (Douay–Rheims Bible), Rheims: Iohn Fogny, →OCLC, Hebrewes 9:21–23, page 622
3. (dated, figuratively) A person who is extremely beautiful, of high status, or intelligent, etc.
   • Cast a firm glance also on those notable men, who, though not achieving any valuable positive results of speculation, were useful in their day, as protesting against widespread popular error, and rousing people into trains of more consistent thinking and acting. […] [Y]ou will feel only too...1874, John Stuart Blackie, “The Culture of the Intellect”, in On Self-culture: Intellectual, Physical, and Moral: A Vade Mecum for Young Men and Students, New York, N.Y.: Scribner, Armstrong, and...
4. (obsolete) Sometimes in the form Celestial: a native of China; a Chinese person.
   • Three celestials died during the voyage, and, in accordance with the contract, their remains were embalmed and carried on to China. […] [T]he Chinese attach great importance to certain religious offices being performed in presence of the dead man's relics, or at the spot where they are buried, by...1897, J[oseph] Ll[ewelyn] Thomas, “The North Pacific”, in Journeys among the Gentle Japs in the Summer of 1895 […], London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company […], →OCLC, pages 23–24

See all 14 meanings of celestial