Main Entry: au·ro·ra

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈrȯr-ə, ȯ-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural auroras or au·ro·rae \-(ˌ)ē\

Etymology: Latin — more at east

Date: 14th century

1 : dawn
2 capitalized : the Roman goddess of dawn — compare eos
3 : a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines

— au·ro·ral \-əl\ adjective

— au·ro·re·an \-ē-ən\ adjective