aureole

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a halo or circle of radiant light around the head or body of a sacred figure in art

   The icon showed a gold aureole around the saint's head.

2. 2
   noun

   any ring, border, or mass that surrounds something like a halo

   An aureole of silver hair framed his face.

3. 3
   noun

   astronomy: a luminous region surrounding the sun or another bright object

   A faint aureole appeared around the sun through the thin cloud.

From Middle English aureole and Old French aureole, from Medieval Latin aureola corona, 'golden crown.' Aureola is the feminine of Latin aureolus, 'golden,' a diminutive of aureus, from aurum, 'gold.' The sacred halo sense broadened to any luminous or halo-like ring.

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