Main Entry: au·re·ole

Pronunciation: \ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl\

Variant(s): or au·re·o·la \ȯ-ˈrē-ə-lə, ə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English aureole heavenly crown worn by saints, from Medieval Latin aureola, from Latin, feminine of aureolus golden, diminutive of aureus

Date: 13th century

1 a : a radiant light around the head or body of a representation of a sacred personage b : something resembling an aureole <an aureole of hair>
2 : radiance, aura <an aureole of youth and health>
3 : the luminous area surrounding the sun or other bright light when seen through thin cloud or mist : corona
4 : a ring-shaped zone around an igneous intrusion

— aureole transitive verb