luminary

Etymology

From Late Middle English lūminārī, lūminārīe (“lamp; source of spiritual light, example of holiness; glory”), borrowed from Old French luminarie (“lamp, lights, lighting; candles; brightness, illumination”), variant of luminaire (“light fixture”) (modern French luminaire), from Medieval Latin lūminārium, from lūmināre (“that which gives light; light; lamp; body giving light, especially a heavenly body”), from lūmen (“light; brightness”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“bright; to shine”)) + -āris (“suffix forming adjectives indicating a relationship or a pertaining to”).

noun

1. One who is an inspiration to others; one who has achieved success in one's chosen field; a leading light.
2. (archaic) A body that gives light; especially, one of the heavenly bodies.
   The Intercourſe between God and his Soul was as conſtant and periodical as the Riſing and Setting of the Great Luminary of Heaven; […] 1741, John Pinsent, “The Character of Andrew Barker, Esq; …”, in John Wilford], editor, Memorials and Characters, together with the Lives of Divers Eminent and Worthy Persons.[…], London: Printed for John Wilford,[…], →OCLC, page 287
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. But, when every intervening object is removed, and the Chriſtian placed in the light of his countenance, all imperfection flies away. 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,[…], →OCLC, page 355
   https://archive.org/stream/journalofscience1631unse#page/378/mode/1up page 378 The paper read was on "The Electric Light applied to Lighthouse Illumination," by Mr. J[ames] N[icholas] Douglass, M. Inst. C.E. The author showed the progress of lighthouse luminaries from wood and coal fires to the introduction of tallow candles, fatty oils, mineral oils, coal gas, and electricity. […] https://archive.org/stream/journalofscience1631unse#page/381/mode/1up page 381 on more frequent occasions, when the oil luminary would be visible at about eight miles and a-half, the electric light would be visible at the full range of 17 miles. 1879 May, “Proceedings of Societies. Institution of Civil Engineers, March 25.]”, in William Crookes, editor, The Monthly Journal of Science, volume IX (New Series; volume XVI (Old Series)), London: [s.n.] […], →OCLC, pages 378 and 381