aureole
aureole Lexical Profile
aureole Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A radiant circle or halo of light surrounding the head or whole body of a holy figure in religious art.
"In the medieval fresco, a golden aureole surrounds the figure of the saint."
A luminous ring or corona visible around the sun or moon, especially during an eclipse or when seen through mist or thin clouds.
"Astronomers photographed the bright aureole glowing around the eclipsed sun."
A zone of altered surrounding rock (metamorphic rock) formed around an igneous intrusion by heat and pressure.
"Geologists mapped the contact aureole surrounding the ancient granite pluton."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'aureole' (a glowing halo of light) with 'orioles' (colorful songbirds) or 'areola' (a small circular anatomical area).
• Rhymes for aureole
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'aureole', from Medieval Latin 'aureola' (short for 'corona aureola', meaning 'golden crown'), derived from Latin 'aurum' ('gold').