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DictionarynimbusHalo
noun

nimbus

NIM-bus/ˈnɪmbəs/

A glowing halo or aura surrounding someone or something.

A golden nimbus surrounds the saint's head in the painting.

An older man shown in a simple bust portrait, with a luminous, softly cloud-edged golden halo surrounding his head.
Etymology
nimbusLatincloud

Latin nimbus meant “cloud.” In English it described a bright cloud surrounding a sacred figure, then the halo shown around a holy person's head, providing the image behind a surrounding glow.

In context

mystic7muse0:42
not a single head without its Nimbus of gold colored light let our prophecy be this that reaffirm the glories that surround us in people and in things
A Nimbus for All--The Aura, Or How to Picture the Universal Light

More examples

  • The streetlamp glows through a nimbus of mist.
  • Backlighting gives her hair a soft nimbus.
  • A nimbus of mystery surrounds the reclusive artist.

Forms

nimbus · nimbuses · nimbi

Similar words

halo
Usually a ring of light, especially around a head.
aura
Often a surrounding feeling or quality rather than visible light.