Brilliance

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbɹɪljən(t)s/

Definitions

1. The quality of emitting a strong or intense light ; the possession of outstanding intellectual ability or talent
2. An intense radiance or vivid illumination ; remarkable mental sharpness or creative skill
3. A vivid brightness or shining quality ; excellence in intelligence or skillful performance

Etymology: "Brilliance" is built from "brilliant" plus the suffix "-ance," which turns an adjective into a noun naming a quality or state. "Brilliant" itself came into English from French "brillant," the present participle of "briller," meaning "to shine" or "to sparkle." That French verb is the root of the whole family, so the noun carries the same sense of light that the adjective does. The noun takes its shape from French "brillance," which follows the same pattern of adjective plus "-ance." English speakers adopted the form alongside the adjective, and its earliest sense stayed close to the physical: the intense, dazzling brightness of light itself. The figurative senses of exceptional talent or intellect grew out of that literal sense of shining, so the word still points back to light.

Synonyms: brightness, radiance, luster

Antonyms: dimness, dullness