Definition of HALO

halo

Plural: haloes, halos

Noun

  • an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
  • a toroidal shape
    • "a halo of smoke"
  • a circle of light around the sun or moon
  • A circular band of coloured light, visible around the sun or moon etc., caused by reflection and refraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere.
  • A cloud of gas and other matter surrounding and captured by the gravitational field of a large diffuse astronomical object, such as a galaxy or cluster of galaxies.
  • Anything resembling this band, such as an effect caused by imperfect developing of photographs.
  • nimbus, a luminous disc, often of gold, around or over the heads of saints, etc., in religious paintings.
  • The metaphorical aura of glory, veneration or sentiment which surrounds an idealized entity.
  • The bias caused by the halo effect.
  • a circular annulus ring, frequently luminous, often golden, floating above the head
  • A circular brace used to keep the head and neck in position.
  • A roll bar placed in front of the driver, used to protect the cockpit of an open cockpit racecar.
  • Ellipsis of halo headlight.

Verb

Verb Forms: haloed, haloing, haloes, halos

  • To surround with a radiant ring of light or glory.
  • To encircle with a halo.

Examples

  • her halo slipped
  • The double word score square seemed to HALO, beckoning her to play a big word.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin halōs, from Ancient Greek ἅλως (hálōs, “threshing floor; disk; disk of the sun or moon; ring of light around the sun or moon”), of unknown origin. The threshing floor's circular threshold or oxen walking on it in a circle gave rise to the other meanings. Used in English since 1563; the sense of light around someone’s head since 1646.

Synonyms

anchor ring, annulus, aura, aureole, doughnut, gloriole, glory, nimbus, ring, inaureole

Scrabble Score: 7

halo: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
halo: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
halo: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

halo: valid Words With Friends Word