aureole

American  

[awr-ee-ohl] / ˈɔr iˌoʊl /

Also aureola

noun

1. a radiance surrounding the head or the whole figure in the representation of a sacred personage.

2. any encircling ring of light or color; halo.

3. Astronomy. corona.

4. Geology. a zone of altered country rock around an igneous intrusion.

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aureole British  

/ ˈɔːrɪˌəʊl, ɔːˈriːələ /

noun

1. (esp in paintings of Christian saints and the deity) a border of light or radiance enveloping the head or sometimes the whole of a figure represented as holy

2. a less common word for halo

3. another name for corona

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Etymology

Origin of aureole

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin aureola (corona) “golden (crown),” equivalent to aure(us) “golden” ( aureate ) + -ola, feminine of -olus noun suffix ( -ole ¹ )

Example Sentences

This childishly wily Mary is a very damp match for Catherine McCormack’s pitiless Elizabeth and her aureole of fabulous, if anachronistic, hair.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2018

Dark wood stain applied in the center of three interlocking aureole forms gives one floor-sculpture the appearance of a giant bouquet of Van Gogh’s sunflowers — a symbol of happiness now bloated and earthbound.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2018

That will allow the heat to extend farther into the country rock, creating a larger aureole.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

“I love you, Papa,” she said, her smile an aureole of smeared toothpaste and happiness.

From Nature • Mar. 12, 2014

Her face was very pale; the rich waving hair encircled it as with an aureole.

From The Making of a Saint by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)