Nimbus

Nimbus

ˈnimbəs

Noun

  • A luminous cloud or a halo surrounding a supernatural being or a saint.
  • A light, color, etc., that surrounds someone or something.
  • A large gray rain cloud.

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Example Sentences

“The stained glass window depicted three saints surrounded by a round nimbus.”

“Sarah reached for her umbrella as she saw the nimbus darken the skies overhead.”

“The shadowy figure standing in front of the car was outlined by a nimbus.”

Word Origin

Latin, early 17th century

Why this word?

“Nimbus” comes directly from Latin, meaning “cloud, aureole.” (“Aureole” means “a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, especially as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy.”) Those familiar with meteorology terminology may recall that cumulonimbus clouds are the towering, foreboding type that can produce rain, thunder, lightning, hail, and tornadoes. These, and cumulus clouds, are commonly referred to as “thunderclouds.”

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ˌreɪzəˈnər