American Dictionary of the English Language

CELEBRITY, noun

1. Fame; renown; the distinction or honor publicly bestowed on a nation or person, on character or exploits; the distinction bestowed on whatever is great or remarkable, and manifested by praises or eulogies; as the celebrity of the duke of Wellington; the celebrity of Homer, or of the Iliad.

England acquired celebrity from the triumphs of Marlborough.

2. Public and splendid transaction; as the celebrity of a marriage. In this sense, as used by Bacon, we now use celebration.