halo
//ˈxa.lɔ//
Polishnounintj
Grammatical form
halo is the vocative singular form of hala — “hall, concourse”.
Definitions
- 1.halo (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)
- 2.halo (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)
- 3.halo (luminous border in a photograph around shiny or reflective objects)
- 4.literaryhalo (metaphorical aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment which surrounds an idealized entity)
- 5.hello? (greeting used when answering the telephone)
- 6.hello? (call for response if it is not clear if anyone is present or listening, or if a telephone conversation may have been disconnected)
- 7.publicity given to matters of little importance
Synonyms & related words
Etymology
Internationalism; compare English halo, French halo, German Halo, ultimately from Latin halōs, from Ancient Greek ἅλως (hálōs).
Forms
- halloalternative