aureole

noun

au·​re·​ole ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl 

variants or aureola

ȯ-ˈrē-ə-lə 

ə-

1

a

: a radiant light around the head or body of a representation of a sacred personage

b

: something resembling an aureole

an aureole of hair

2

: radiance, aura

an aureole of youth and health

3

: the luminous area surrounding the sun or other bright light when seen through thin cloud or mist : corona

4

: a ring-shaped zone around an igneous intrusion

aureole transitive verb

Synonyms

• glory
• halo
• nimbus

Examples of aureole in a Sentence

the white marble sculpture of the saint in the throes of divine ecstasy is strikingly offset by a gilt aureole

Recent Examples on the Web

Jacob knew from photographs the goblin face, the aureole of whitening hair. —Lan Samantha Chang, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023

Like his crossed legs, Cannon’s head and upper torso are framed in flickering swipes of green, as if this is a depiction of a holy man surrounded by an incandescent aureole. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2022

One image, Imogen, has the model’s head encircled with flora like an aureole composed of twiggy branches, foliage, and wildflowers. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2020

However, if the region was made up of ice, De Blasio says, then ice should be present around the western edge of the aureole. —Nola Taylor Redd, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2020

Dark wood stain applied in the center of three interlocking aureole forms gives one floor-sculpture the appearance of a giant bouquet of Van Gogh’s sunflowers — a symbol of happiness now bloated and earthbound. —Christopher Knight, latimes.com, 14 June 2018

In the strongest work, half of the 9-foot-tall aureole apparently has been blown away, black resin flapping in shards out the back. —Christopher Knight, latimes.com, 14 June 2018

Venus Express will peer into the planet's upper atmosphere during the aureole, providing an absolute chemical measurement. —Dave Mosher, Popular Mechanics, 4 June 2012

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English aureole heavenly crown worn by saints, from Medieval Latin aureola, from Latin, feminine of aureolus golden, diminutive of aureus

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

aureole

noun

au·​re·​ole ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl 

variants or aureola

ȯ-ˈrē-ə-lə 

1

: a radiant light around the head or body in a picture of a sacred person

2

: a bright area surrounding a bright light (as of the sun's disk) when seen through thin cloud or mist