Main Entry:

¹ha·lo

Pronunciation:

\ˈhā-(ˌ)lō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural halos or haloes

Etymology:

Latin halos, from Greek halōs threshing floor, disk, halo

Date:

1603

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 atmosphere2: 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 brace3: the aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing