secondary rainbow

noun

1. a faint rainbow formed by light rays that undergo two internal reflections in drops of rain, appearing above the primary rainbow and having its colors in the opposite order.

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondary rainbow¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Why are the colours of the secondary rainbow fainter than those of the primary?

From Project Gutenberg

Very commonly a secondary rainbow is seen, concentric with the primary bow, and having a radius of about 50 degrees.

From Project Gutenberg