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 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