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

1. <the halo of unimpeachable honesty in which the politician had long basked>
2. <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

Synonyms

air, ambience (or ambiance), aroma, atmosphere, climate, flavor, aura, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration(s)

Related Words

aureole (or aureola), mystique, romance; genius loci; feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit; attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait; color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

²halo

transitive verb

Definition of HALO

: to form into or surround with a halo <rainbows haloed the waterfalls — Michael Crawford>

First Known Use of HALO

1801

ha·lo

noun \ˈhā-(ˌ)lō\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; halosor ; haloes

Medical Definition of HALO

1

: a circle of light appearing to surround a luminous body; especially : one seen as the result of the presence of glaucoma

2

: a differentiated zone surrounding a central object <the halo around a boil>

3

: the aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing

4

: 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