NIMBUS

aura, aureole, halo, nimbus, glory, gloriole

(noun) an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint

nimbus, nimbus cloud, rain cloud

(noun) a dark grey cloud bearing rain

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

nimbus (plural nimbi or nimbuses)

A circle of light; a halo.

A gray rain cloud.

Usage notes

• (circle of light): In heraldry and art, a nimbus may be considered distinct from a halo. The term halo can refer to an open ring of light or of gold behind the head of a saint, while nimbus refers to a solid disk of light or gold.

Synonyms

• (circle of light): halo

Source: Wiktionary

Nim"bus, n.; pl. L. Nimbi, E. Nimbuses. Etym: [L., a rain storm, a rain cloud, the cloudshaped which enveloped the gods when they appeared on earth.]

1. (Fine Arts)

Definition: A circle, or disk, or any indication of radiant light around the heads of divinities, saints, and sovereigns, upon medals, pictures, etc.; a halo. See Aureola, and Glory, n., 5.

Note: "The nimbus is of pagan origin." "As an atribute of power, the nimbus is often seen attached to the heads of evil spirits." Fairholl.

2. (Meteor.)

Definition: A rain cloud; one of the four principal varieties of clouds. See Cloud.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition