halo

Meaning

Noun

1. A circular band of coloured light, visible around the sun or moon etc., caused by reflection and refraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere.
2. A cloud of gas and other matter surrounding and captured by the gravitational field of a large diffuse astronomical object, such as a galaxy or cluster of galaxies.
3. Anything resembling this band, such as an effect caused by imperfect developing of photographs.
4. nimbus, a luminous disc, often of gold, around or over the heads of saints, etc., in religious paintings.
5. The metaphorical aura of glory, veneration or sentiment which surrounds an idealized entity.
6. The bias caused by the halo effect.
7. a circular annulus ring, frequently luminous, often golden, floating above the head
8. A circular brace used to keep the head and neck in position.
9. A rollbar placed in front of the driver, used to protect the cockpit of an open cockpit racecar.
10. Short for halo headlight.

Verb

To encircle with a halo.

Synonyms

nimbus

aureole

aura

glory

corona

aureola

gloriole

ring

💍

halation

radiance

anchor ring

areola

doughnut

🍩

annulus

perigone

ciliary body

perigonium

falls

Corona

ring of light

solar halo

galactic halo

light halo

chlamys

circle

⭕

circumference

coronet

gloria

light

perianth

perimeter

rainbow

🌈

rain cloud

round

shine

floral envelope

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈheɪləʊ/

Etymology

From Latin halōs, from Ancient Greek ἅλως (hálōs, “threshing floor; disk; disk of the sun or moon; ring of light around the sun or moon”), of unknown origin. The threshing floor's circular threshold or oxen walking on it in a circle gave rise to the other meanings. Used in English since 1563; the sense of light around someone’s head since 1646.