aureole

/ˌɔriˈoʊl/

/ˈɔriəʊl/

Other forms: aureoles

In art, the circle of light painted or drawn around the heads of religious figures to indicate their divine nature is called an aureole. It comes from the Latin word aureus, which means golden, and aureoles are often created in golden hues.

The meaning of the noun aureole has extended to mean anything that resembles the sort of artistic circle of light that surrounds something. The term is frequently used when describing hair. If you have light-colored hair, in the sunlight, it may look like your head is surrounded by a shimmering aureole. The luminous circle around the sun visible during a solar eclipse is also called an aureole.

Definitions of aureole

1. noun

   the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible as a white halo during a solar eclipse
   synonyms: corona

   type of:

   glow, glowing, radiance

   the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
2. noun

   an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
   synonyms: aura, gloriole, glory, halo, nimbus

   type of:

   light, lightness

   the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures