Alpenglows

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A phenomenon occurring at twilight where the peaks of mountains glow with a reddish or pinkish hue due to sunlight scattering
2. This visual display happens just after sunset or before sunrise, reflecting light onto high-altitude snow or ice
3. It serves as a spectacular natural light show that highlights mountain ranges, captivating viewers with its vibrant colors

Etymology: "Alpenglows" is the plural of "alpenglow," the reddish light that settles on high mountain peaks at dawn or dusk, after the sun has dropped below the horizon for the valleys below. The noun is a partial calque of German "Alpenglühen," which literally means "glow of the Alps." English kept the first element, "Alpen" (the Alps), and swapped the German "Glühen" for its English counterpart, "glow." The plural form simply refers to multiple instances of this light, such as the glow appearing on successive peaks or on different evenings across a mountain range.