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

And everything is framed by an aureole of crisp fern leaves reaching to the canvas’s edges — a many-pointed crown.

From New York Times

The heart of “Aeronauts,” not surprisingly, is what happens as the balloon goes higher and higher, as salutations like “clouds ahoy” are exchanged and wonders like an aureole or circular rainbow are observed.

From Los Angeles Times

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

What remains are assembled pieces of natural wood — here, lengthy shims and wedges — now glued together to form sunbursts and aureoles.

From Los Angeles Times

It recalls the aureole around a mysterious and unseen holy relic — sculptural space, perhaps? — or a spotlight from overhead tracking a celebrity or surveillance subject far below.

From Los Angeles Times