ēmĭnentĭa, ae, f. [eminens], a standing out, projecting; concr., a prominence, protuberance.
I Lit., Cic. N. D. 1, 38, § 174 (with soliditas); App. Flor. no. 18, p. 359; and in plur., Plin. 37, 10, 63, § 174. —Hence, in painting, the prominent , i. e. light parts , Cic. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 7, 20 (opp. umbrae). —
II Trop., excellence : quaedam formarum, Gell. 5, 11, 9: senectutis suae, Vulg. 2 Macc. 6, 19.—Hence, per eminentiam, i. q. κατʼ ἐξοχήν, preëminently , par excellence , Ulp. Fragm. 11, 3: reperiet, eminentiam cujusque operis artissimis temporum claustris circumdatam, the highest ability in an art, Vell. 1, 17, 4.