aureole

views updated May 18 2018

au·re·ole / ˈôrēˌōl/ (also au·re·o·la / ôˈrēələ/ ) • n. a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, esp. as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy. ∎ another term for corona1 (sense 1, of the sun or moon). ∎ another term for areola. ∎  Geol. the zone of metamorphosed rock surrounding an igneous intrusion.

aureole

views updated May 08 2018

aureole The luminous white or bluish disc, surrounded by a brown ring, sometimes observed directly surrounding the Sun or Moon. The term is also used to describe the bright area with no definite boundary commonly seen surrounding the Sun in a clear sky. See also CORONA.

aureole

views updated May 29 2018

aureole. Halo or Glory surrounding the figure of Christ, the Virgin, or a Saint. If almond-shaped, it is formed of two interlocking segmental arcs, the whole figure called a mandorla or a vesica piscis. A circular halo surrounding a head only is called a nimbus.

Aureole

views updated May 21 2018

Aureole (symbol or mark of holiness): see HALO.

aureole

views updated May 18 2018

aureole a circle of light or brightness depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy.