Definition of lustre

The word "lustre" is derived from the Middle French noun "lestre" or "lestraunge," which in turn originated from the Latin word "lucere," meaning "to shine" or "to light." In Middle English, the word was pronounced as "lestur" or "lastur," with the usage of "u" and "ur" being commonly found at the end of words in that era. The term was initially used to describe a particular quality of light emitted by materials, most notably metal surfaces after they have been polished or burnished. Its historical meanings and definitions also include the radiant brightness or shine of the moon, stars, and other celestial bodies, as well as the gleam of wet surfaces such as dewdrops and watery reflections. "Lustre" gained popularity as a descriptive name for the luminous quality of metal surfaces because it was observed that metallic substances, especially copper-alloyed ones, seemed to emit a peculiar, velvety or tangerine-like light when smoothed or polished. This phenomenon, alternatively referred to as "metallic lustre" or "metallic shine," is due to the existence of tiny, reflective particles on the surface. In contemporary usage, the term "lustre" has expanded to encompass a wide range of settings beyond metallurgy, such as lampshades, ceramics, and textiles, where its meaning has been broadened to describe an overall visual appeal, with enhanced dimensionality and glow that is not immediately attributed to brightness or radiance.