Aureole

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɔː.ɹiː.əʊl/

Definitions

1. A radiant glow encircling a revered figure or object, highlighting its significance or sanctity
2. A ring of light that appears around a person or sacred figure ; a luminous circle that surrounds an object, often enhancing its presence ; an emblematic glow representing honor or distinction
3. A bright circular band seen around holy figures ; a shining ring enveloping an item, marking it as special ; a radiant aura symbolizing exalted status or achievement

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "aureole" is how close it sits to a bird. Its doublet, "oriole," came into English from the same Latin source, but took a detour through Old French into the name of a songbird with golden-yellow plumage. Both words descend from the Medieval Latin "aureola," short for "aureola corona," meaning "golden crown," from Latin "aureus," golden, itself based on "aurum," gold. The crown is the original picture. Medieval artists painted halos and rings of light around saints and sacred figures, and the golden crown was the thing being imagined. The word passed through Old French "aureole" into Middle English, and its sense gradually moved from the crown itself to the glowing ring of light that the crown suggested. Over time, the word broadened to cover any luminous halo surrounding a revered person or object, and it is now also used of a bright patch of light, such as the glow around the sun during an eclipse or the ring of light seen around a streetlamp in fog.

Synonyms: halo, glory, nimbus, radiance, light