halo

Meanings

Noun

• 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.
• 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.
• Anything resembling this band, such as an effect caused by imperfect developing of photographs.
• nimbus, a luminous disc, often of gold, around or over the heads of saints, etc., in religious paintings.
• The metaphorical aura of glory, veneration or sentiment which surrounds an idealized entity.
• The bias caused by the halo effect.
• a circular annulus ring, frequently luminous, often golden, floating above the head
• A circular brace used to keep the head and neck in position.
• A rollbar placed in front of the driver, used to protect the cockpit of a open cockpit racecar.

Verb

• To encircle with a halo.

Related

Similar words

• aureole, nimbus

Origin

• From Latin halōs, from Ancient Greek ἅλως ("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.