haloes

The children drew angels with golden haloes above their heads.

Definition

1. Noun (plural of halo):
   • A circle of light: "haloes" are luminous circles or discs of light, typically depicted around the head of a holy figure in religious art, or observed in the sky around the sun or moon due to atmospheric phenomena.
   • A symbolic aura: In a figurative sense, "haloes" represent an aura of glory, veneration, or saintliness attributed to a person or thing.

Usage Examples

• Literal (celestial):
  • The photograph captured bright haloes around the moon during the winter night. (Luminous circles caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere.)
• Literal (religious art):
  • Medieval paintings often show saints with golden haloes surrounding their heads. (Symbolic discs indicating holiness.)
• Figurative (reputation):
  • The philanthropist wore her haloes of kindness and generosity effortlessly. (Figurative aura of goodness and respect.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have haloes": to be regarded as exceptionally virtuous or saintly.

  • The volunteers were described as having haloes, but they insisted they were just ordinary people. (They were seen as exceptionally good.)

• "haloes of light": a poetic or scientific description of luminous rings.

  • The haloes of light from the streetlamps softened the harsh cityscape. (The rings of light created a gentle effect.)

Variants and Related Words

• Halo (singular): the base form of the word.
  • A single halo surrounded the saint's head. (One luminous circle.)
• Halation (n): a photographic effect where light spreads beyond its intended area, creating a halo-like blur.
  • The old film camera produced a soft halation around bright objects. (A spread of light.)
• Haloed (adj): surrounded by or as if by a halo.
  • The moon was haloed by a thin cloud. (Encircled by a luminous ring.)

Synonyms

• Aureole: a circle of light or brightness, especially around the head of a holy figure.
  • The aureole in the icon was painted in gold leaf. (Synonymous with halo in religious art.)
• Nimbus: a luminous cloud or atmosphere surrounding a deity or saint.
  • The nimbus of the angel glowed softly. (A halo-like radiance.)
• Corona: a circle of light seen around the sun or moon during an eclipse.
  • The corona of the sun was visible during totality. (A specific astronomical halo.)

Related Idioms

• "Halo effect": a cognitive bias where a positive impression in one area influences opinions in other areas.

  • The teacher's halo effect made students overlook her occasional mistakes. (Her overall positive reputation coloured their judgment.)

• "Not all haloes are golden": a proverb implying that appearances of virtue can be deceptive.

  • He seemed saintly, but not all haloes are golden — he had a hidden temper. (Appearances can mislead.)