AUREOLE
aura, aureole, halo, nimbus, glory, gloriole
(noun) an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
aureole, corona
(noun) the outermost region of the sun’s atmosphere; visible as a white halo during a solar eclipse
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
aureole (plural aureoles)
A circle of light or halo around the head of a deity or a saint.
(by extension) Any luminous or colored ring that encircles something.
(astronomy) A corona.
(geology) A ring around an igneous intrusion.
Source: Wiktionary
Au*re"o*la, Au"re*ole, n. Etym: [F. auréole, fr. L. aureola, (fem
adj.) of gold (sc. corona crown), dim. of aureus. See Aureate,
Oriole.]
1. (R. C. Theol.)
Definition: A celestial crown or accidental glory added to the bliss of
heaven, as a reward to those (as virgins, martyrs, preachers, etc.)
who have overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.
2. The circle of rays, or halo of light, with which painters surround
the figure and represent the glory of Christ, saints, and others held
in special reverence.
Note: Limited to the head, it is strictly termed a nimbus; when it
envelops the whole body, an aureola. Fairholt.
3. A halo, actual or figurative.
The glorious aureole of light seen around the sun during total
eclipses. Proctor.
The aureole of young womanhood. O. W. Holmes.
4. (Anat.)
Definition: See Areola, 2.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition