halo
1ha·lo
noun \ˈhā-(ˌ)lō\ plural halos or haloes
Definition of HALO
1
: a circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere
2
: something resembling a halo: as a : nimbus b : a region of space surrounding a galaxy that is sparsely populated with luminous objects (as globular clusters) but is believed to contain a great deal of dark matter c : a differentiated zone surrounding a central zone or object d : an orthopedic device used to immobilize the head and neck (as to treat fracture of neck vertebrae) that consists of a metal band placed around the head and fastened to the skull usually with metal pins and that is attached by extensions to an inflexible vest —called also halo brace
3
: the aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing
Examples of HALO
- <the halo of unimpeachable honesty in which the politician had long basked>
- <a naturalistic depiction of Saint Peter that shows him as a humble fisherman and without the traditional halo>
Origin of HALO
Latin halos, from Greek halōs threshing floor, disk, halo
First Known Use: 1603
Related to HALO
Other Astronomy Terms
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