aureole

[ awr-ee-ohl ]

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 ( def 3 ).
4. Geology. a zone of altered country rock around an igneous intrusion.

aureole

/ 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. See halo
   a less common word for halo
3. See corona
   another name for corona

Word History and Origins

Origin of aureole¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of aureole¹

C13: from Old French auréole, from Medieval Latin ( corōna ) aureola golden (crown), from Latin aureolus golden, from aurum gold

Example Sentences

Its scintillating rays glorified the dark corner with the aureole of a great hope.

From Project Gutenberg

Even her pretty hair seemed to have acquired a nervous life, and stood out in a quivering aureole.

From Project Gutenberg

He was small and chunky in build, and nervous in his mind, and had red fuzzy hair that stuck up around his head like an aureole.

From Project Gutenberg

Round the big winged arm of the chair a wonderful, bright aureole of hair showed suddenly.

From Project Gutenberg

He was clearly revealed by the lights, and was magnified by the aureole of tinted fog which surrounded him.

From Project Gutenberg