eminent

/ˈe-mə-nənt/

Middle English, "standing out, exceed other things in quality or degree," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, "high, lofty" (also continental Old French), borrowed from Latin ēminent-, ēminens "standing out above a surface, projecting, outstanding in merit or importance," from present participle of ēminēre "to stick out, protrude, project, be preeminent, excel," from ē-, variant of ex- + -minēre, taken to mean "stand out, rise above" (unattested without a prefix)

adjective

  1. exhibiting eminence especially in standing above others in some quality or position : prominent

  2. standing out so as to be readily perceived or noted : conspicuous

  3. jutting out : projecting

famous renowned celebrated noted notorious distinguished eminent illustrious mean known far and wide. famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

noun

  1. a right of a government to take private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction