WordLens

aureole

1 of 1noun
/ˈɔriˌoʊl/
Forms:aureoles
1

a light, usually in the shape of a circle, around the body or head of a sacred person

  • The painting showed the Virgin Mary with a golden aureole.
  • Saints were often portrayed with an aureole to signify their sanctity.
  • Medieval artists used the aureole to distinguish divine figures.
  • The fresco's central figure was framed by a glowing aureole.
  • The sculpture included an aureole carved from translucent stone.
2

the shining area that surrounds the sun and other stars

  • During the eclipse, the sun's aureole blazed around the darkened disk.
  • Scientists studied the aureole to understand solar wind and magnetic fields.
  • The aureole revealed complex structures in the sun's corona.
  • Photographs captured the delicate filaments of the solar aureole.
  • The aureole's brightness varied with solar activity.
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