Halo
/ˈheɪ.loʊ/noun
A circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, halos symbolized divine light and were often associated with gods and celestial beings, embodying their otherworldly power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰel-
“to shine, to glow”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἅλως (halōs)
“disk of light around the sun or moon”
Latin
Latin
halōs
“a ring of light, especially around celestial bodies”
Middle English
Middle English
halo
“a ring of light depicted in religious art around the head of a saint or angel”
Modern English
English
halo
“a luminous ring around the sun or moon, or an emblem of sanctity in art”