aureole

{ ‖ } n. [ F. auréole, fr. L. aureola, (fem adj.) of gold (sc. corona crown), dim. of aureus. See Aureate, Oriole. ] 1. (R. C. Theol.) A celestial crown or accidental glory added to the bliss of heaven, as a reward to those (as virgins, martyrs, preachers, etc.) who have overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The circle of rays, or halo of light, with which painters surround the figure and represent the glory of Christ, saints, and others held in special reverence. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Limited to the head, it is strictly termed a nimbus; when it envelops the whole body, an aureola. Fairholt. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A halo, actual or figurative. [ 1913 Webster ]

The glorious aureole of light seen around the sun during total eclipses. Proctor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The aureole of young womanhood. O. W. Holmes. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Anat.) See Areola, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible from earth during a solar eclipse, or in outer space by the use of special instruments; a corona{ 5 }.
Syn. -- corona. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]