aureole
oxford
views updated May 18 2018au·re·ole / ˈôrēˌōl/ (also au·re·o·la / ôˈrēələ/ ) •
n. a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, esp. as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy. ∎ another term for corona1 (sense 1, of the sun or moon). ∎ another term for areola. ∎ Geol. the zone of metamorphosed rock surrounding an igneous intrusion.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
aureole
oxford
views updated May 08 2018aureole The luminous white or bluish disc, surrounded by a brown ring, sometimes observed directly surrounding the
Sun or Moon. The term is also used to describe the bright area with no definite boundary commonly seen surrounding the Sun in a clear sky. See also
CORONA.
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY
aureole
oxford
views updated May 29 2018aureole. Halo or Glory surrounding the figure of Christ, the Virgin, or a Saint. If almond-shaped, it is formed of two interlocking segmental arcs, the whole figure called a
mandorla or a
vesica piscis. A circular halo surrounding a head only is called a
nimbus.
A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL
Aureole
oxford
views updated May 21 2018Aureole (symbol or mark of holiness): see
HALO.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions JOHN BOWKER
aureole
oxford
views updated May 18 2018aureole a circle of light or brightness depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy.
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES
