Aureola

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Aureola \Au*re"o*la\, Aureole \Au"re*ole\, n. [F. aur['e]ole,
     fr. L. aureola, (fem adj.) of gold (sc. corona crown), dim.
     of aureus. See {Aureate}, {Oriole}.]
     1. (R. C. Theol.) A celestial crown or accidental glory added
        to the bliss of heaven, as a reward to those (as virgins,
        martyrs, preachers, etc.) who have overcome the world, the


        flesh, and the devil.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The circle of rays, or halo of light, with which painters
        surround the figure and represent the glory of Christ,
        saints, and others held in special reverence.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Limited to the head, it is strictly termed a nimbus;
           when it envelops the whole body, an aureola.
           --Fairholt.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A halo, actual or figurative.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The glorious aureole of light seen around the sun
              during total eclipses.                --Proctor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The aureole of young womanhood.       --O. W.
                                                    Holmes.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Anat.) See {Areola}, 2.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible from
        earth during a solar eclipse, or in outer space by the use
        of special instruments; a {corona[5]}.
  
     Syn: corona.
          [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]