corona

/kəˈroʊnə/

/kəˈrʌʊnə/

Other forms: coronas; coronae

A corona is a glowing circle of light around an object. You can see the Sun's corona during a total solar eclipse.

The word corona refers in a general sense to a circle or ring of light. In scientific terms, a corona is the very outer part of the Sun's gaseous atmosphere. If you want to see the corona of the Sun, you'll have to use a special viewing device during the next solar eclipse (don't look directly at the Sun — it's not safe!). In the 17th century, corona referred to a circular crown, from the Latin word for "crown or garland."

Definitions of corona

1. noun

   one or more circles of light seen around a luminous object
   type of:

   light, visible light, visible radiation

   (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
2. noun

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

   type of:

   glow, glowing, radiance

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

   an electrical discharge accompanied by ionization of surrounding atmosphere
   synonyms: Saint Elmo's fire, Saint Elmo's light, Saint Ulmo's fire, Saint Ulmo's light, St. Elmo's fire, corona discharge, corposant, electric glow

   type of:

   arc, discharge, electric arc, electric discharge, spark

   electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
4. noun

   (anatomy) any structure that resembles a crown in shape
   type of:

   anatomical structure, bodily structure, body structure, complex body part, structure

   a particular complex anatomical part of a living thing
5. noun

   (botany) the trumpet-shaped or cup-shaped outgrowth of the corolla of a daffodil or narcissus flower
   type of:

   plant part, plant structure

   any part of a plant or fungus
6. noun

   a long cigar with blunt ends
   type of:

   cigar

   a roll of tobacco for smoking