aura

¹

[awr-uh]

noun

plural

auras, aurae 

1. a distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere.

   an aura of respectability;

   an aura of friendliness.

2. a subtly pervasive quality or atmosphere seen as emanating from a person, place, or thing.

3. Pathology.,  a sensation, as of lights or a current of warm or cold air, preceding an attack of migraine or epilepsy.

Aura

²

[awr-uh]

noun

Classical Mythology.

1. a companion of Artemis who bore twins to Dionysus. Zeus changed her into a spring because, in a fit of madness, she had killed one of her children.

aura

/ ˈɔːrə /

noun

1. a distinctive air or quality considered to be characteristic of a person or thing

2. any invisible emanation, such as a scent or odour

3. pathol strange sensations, such as noises in the ears or flashes of light, that immediately precede an attack, esp of epilepsy

4. (in parapsychology) an invisible emanation produced by and surrounding a person or object: alleged to be discernible by individuals of supernormal sensibility

Word History and Origins

Origin of aura¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek: “breath (of air)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of aura¹

C18: via Latin from Greek: breeze

Example Sentences

A cello’s has the aura of a bass drum.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The stat line was decent, with some highlight throws showing promise and potential, but there's definitely an aura about him, a character that seems to lift both his team and the fans.

Read more on BBC

It’s perhaps Scipio’s aura of inevitability and assuredness—in his tactics and shrewd diplomacy—that renders Hannibal the more endearing of the pair.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His aura of invincibility and the unquestioning loyalty is over.

Read more on Salon

New Zealand may not have the aura of old.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ambience 
• aspect 
• atmosphere 
• feeling 
• mood 
• quality 
• scent 
• semblance 
• tone