mid-15c., from Middle French radiant and directly from Latin radiantem (nominative radians) "beaming, shining," present participle of radiare "to beam, shine" (see radiation). Of beauty, etc., first attested c.1500. Related: Radiantly.

"point or object from which light radiates," 1727; see radiant, adj.. In astronomy, of meteor showers, from 1864.