Sundog
/ˈsʌn.dɔɡ/noun
A bright spot that appears on either side of the sun, often seen in cold weather.
Did you know?In folklore, sundogs were believed to signal impending events, often interpreted as a sign from the heavens or a harbinger of change.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
Old English
sunnandaga
“Day of the Sun, associated with the solar deity.”
Middle English
Middle English
sundei
“Referring to the sun, often linked with various atmospheric phenomena.”
16th Century
English
sundog
“A coined term describing the optical phenomenon of bright spots near the sun.”
Modern English
English
sundog
“The term solidified in meteorological language, retaining its mystical and observational roots.”