Fulgent

fulgent \ˈfül-jənt, ˈfəl-\ adjective: dazzlingly bright; radiant

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fulgent-, fulgens, present participle of fulgēre to shine; akin to Latin flagrare to burn

Are fulgent and refulgent straight synonyms, or is one used abstractly while the other is used literally?