Defn: A genus of annelids, belonging to the Oligochæta, and including the common earthworms. See Earthworm.
LUMEN Lu"men, n.; pl. L. Lumina (#), E. Lumens (#). [L., light, an opening for light.]
1. (Photom.) (a) A unit of illumination, being the amount of illumination of a unit area of spherical surface, due to a light of unit intensity placed at the center of the sphere. (b) A unit of light flux, being the flux through one square meter of surface the illumination of which is uniform and of unit brightness.
2. (Biol.) An opening, space, or cavity, esp. a tubular cavity; a vacuole.
LUMINANT
Lu"mi*nant, a.
Defn: Luminous. [R.]
LUMINARY Lu"mi*na*ry, n.; pl. Luminaries, Etym: [F. luminaire, L. luminare a light or lamp, which was lighted in the churches, a luminary, fr. lumen, luminis, light, fr. lucere to be light, to shine, lux, lucis, light. See Light.]
1. Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly bodies. " Radiant luminary." Skelton. Where the great luminary . . . Dispenses light from far. Milton.
2. One who illustrates any subject, or enlightens mankind; as, Newton was a distinguished luminary.
LUMINATE Lu"mi*nate, v. t. Etym: [L. luminatus, p. p. of luminare to illumine, fr. lumen light. See Limn.]