resplendent
adjective

- attractive and impressive through being richly colourful or sumptuous

- splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant

- shining brilliantly : characterized by a glowing splendor

Oxford Languages / American Heritage Dictionary / Merriam-Webster

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "resplendent" comes from the Latin resplendēns, re- meaning "again" and splendēre meaning "to shine". So, in its most literal sense, "resplendent" can be understood to mean "shining again" or "shining brightly”.

The term made its way into Middle English through Old French, where it was used in much the same way it is today—to describe something that shines brilliantly or is dazzling in appearance. Over time, its usage has expanded to include not just physical luminance but also metaphorical brilliance, as in "a resplendent idea" or "resplendent in glory”.

So, next time you describe something as "resplendent”, you're invoking a term with roots that stretch back to ancient notions of light and brilliance, giving your statement a touch of historical luminosity.

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RESPLENDENT LOUIS

Louis XIV, the Sun King, was famed for his lavish contributions to art and architecture, most notably the Palace of Versailles. Though many recognize Versailles' grandeur, fewer know it began as a hunting lodge. Louis XIV transformed it to both escape Parisian chaos and control his courtiers, who were obliged to live there part-time.

A key arts patron, he founded the Paris Opera and took ballet lessons. Performing in 'Le Ballet de la Nuit' at age 14, he appeared as the Sun, hence his nickname, the Sun King.

Interestingly, Louis XIV had a lifelong fear of bathing; he is said to have taken only three baths in his entire life. Notwithstanding, he was meticulous about cleanliness, changing his clothes several times a day and using a concoction of alcohol to cleanse his skin.

Louis’s reign also led to the standardization of French through the Académie Française, which came under his patronage. Its mission to purify the French language continues today.

Lastly, Louis had a major influence on fashion. High heels, originally designed to increase his height, became a symbol of authority and were eventually adopted by the nobility. A trendsetter in many ways, his influence has permeated not just French but global culture, marking him as a truly resplendent historical figure.

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SYNONYMS

arresting, bedazzling, belle of the ball, bewitching, blazing, blinding, breathtaking, brilliant, captivating, celestial, dazzling, drop-dead gorgeous, eye-catching, gleaming, glittering, glorious, glowing like a jewel, godlike, head-turning, hypnotizing, incandescent, intoxicating, jaw-dropping, knockout, like a million dollars, luminous, lustrous, majestic, mesmerizing, mind-blowing, opulent, picture-perfect, radiant, RESPLENDENT, scintillating, shining, show-stopping, sightly, sight for sore eyes, sparkling, splendiferous, striking, stunning, transcendent, out of this world

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“A RESPLENDENT smile can light up a room and make everyone feel instantly at ease.”

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