adjective
- high in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished: eminent statesmen.
- conspicuous, signal, or noteworthy: eminent fairness.
- lofty; high: eminent peaks.
- prominent; projecting; protruding: an eminent nose.
adjective
- above others in rank, merit, or reputation; distinguishedan eminent scientist
- (prenominal) noteworthy, conspicuous, or outstandingeminent good sense
- projecting or protruding; prominent
early 15c., from Middle French éminent (13c.) or directly from Latin eminentem (nominative eminens), present participle of eminere “stand out, project,” from ex- “out” (see ex-) + minere, related to mons “hill” (see mount (n.)). Related: Eminently. Legal eminent domain recorded from 1738.