Definition of radiant

The word "radiant" has its origin in the Latin language. The Latin word "radiantem" is a verbal adjective stem that comes from the verb "radius," meaning "ray" or "beam." In its original meaning, "radiantem" referred to something that emitted rays, such as a bright star or the sun. The word "radiant" entered the English language in the 14th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 when French became the language of the ruling class. The Anglo-Norman French word "radiant" was adopted from the Latin, and its meaning remained consistent with the original Latin term. Over time, the concept of radiating energy or light evolved to include emotional or psychological characteristics, such as someone who emanates joy, beauty, or confidence. Today, "radiant" is used primarily as an adjective to describe people, objects, or experiences that radiate beauty, warmth, goodness, strength, or energy. In summary, the word "radiant" originated in the Latin language, where it referred to something that emitted rays. Its meaning has since evolved to take on a variety of connotations in the English language, including physical light, emotional radiance, and positive energy or vibrancy.