Literary notes about Luster (AI summary)
Writers employ "luster" in a rich array of ways, using it both to paint vivid physical scenes and to evoke deeper emotional or symbolic meanings. At times, it serves as a precise descriptor of reflective qualities—whether describing the metallic sheen of an ancient head [1], the jewel-like brilliance of pearls [2] or diamonds [3], or the iridescent glow of minerals [4, 5]. In other instances, the term transcends its literal sense, capturing the inner light or diminished vitality of characters: an unnatural gleam in a character's eyes hints at mystery or passion [6, 7], while the waning luster of one's gaze speaks to exhaustion or disillusionment [8, 9]. Moreover, "luster" can subtly underscore honor and legacy, as when it adds a metaphorical glow to noble houses or celebrated names [10, 11]. Thus, its flexible use enriches the narrative by shifting seamlessly from the tangible to the transcendent.
- The brass rubbed off —The beautiful metallic luster on the head of Phanæus carnifex is thus accounted for.
— from Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney - Those pearls she is wearing now, for instance, are quite small, but their luster is exquisite.
— from An Amiable Charlatan by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim - The harder the diamond, the more brilliant the luster, and the greater the friction necessary to bring it out.
— from Pushing to the Front by Orison Swett Marden - According to Reichenbach, paraffine may crystallize in three forms: needles, angular grains, and leaflets having the luster of mother-of-pearl.
— from Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889 by Various - Graphite is a steel-gray or black mineral that commonly has a metallic luster.
— from Texas Rocks and Minerals: An Amateur's Guide by Roselle M. Girard - An unnatural luster gleamed in her great blue eyes.
— from Lady Audley's Secret by M. E. Braddon - But just for a moment their eyes met, and, behind all the luster of Ruby’s, Anne saw something that made her heart ache.
— from Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery - At the noise of Greg's entrance he lifted his lack-luster eyes.
— from The Owl Taxi by Hulbert Footner - With a lack-luster eye, he stared down that cold, desolate road and into the pale, dead night.
— from The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux - This result was exceedingly gratifying to the queen; she regarded it as a {458} noble triumph, adding to the power and the luster of her house.
— from The Empire of Austria; Its Rise and Present Power by John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott - He was proud of his wife, and quite as proud, perhaps, of the necklace that had conferred added luster to his noble house for generations.
— from The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar by Maurice Leblanc
