luminaries

Noun

luminary (plural luminaries)

1. One who is an inspiration to others; one who has achieved success in one's chosen field; a leading light.
   • For more than a decade, forces on the ideological extremes have torn at the global political fabric. And for just as long, the luminaries at the World Economic Forum have fretted about how dangerous that phenomenon is — for the businesses they lead and the countries they govern.2024 January 20, Nahal Toosi, “Populism Keeps Rattling the Globe. Elites Have No Idea What to Do.”, in POLITICO, archived from the original on 20 Jan 2024

   Synonyms:

   guiding light

2. (uncommon) A body that gives light; especially, one of the heavenly bodies.
   • […] then firſt adornd / With thir bright Luminaries that Set and Roſe, / Glad Evening & glad Morn crownd the fourth day.1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
3. (archaic) An artificial light; an illumination.
   • [T]he Sun of Righteouſneſs [Jesus Christ], when, on the nations of thoſe who are ſaved, he ariſes with healing under his wings, ſhall ſcatter by his brightneſs, every cloud which ſat around them. To the diſtant influence of this powerful luminary on the heart, its regeneration is at preſent owing....1792, David Williamson, “Sermon I. On the Influence of Religion on the Death of Good Men. Genesis XLIX. 18.”, in Lectures on Civil and Religious Liberty: […], London: Printed for the author, […]...