[ant-hee-lee-uh
n, an-thee-] 
[-lee-uh] . | a luminous, white spot occasionally appearing at the sun's elevation but in the opposite part of the sky. |
lion, neut. of anthlios opposite the sun, equiv. to ant- ant- + hli(os) the sun + -os adj. suffix| ant·he·li·on (ānt-hē'lē-ən, ān-thē'-) n. pl. ant·he·li·a (-lē-ə) or ant·he·li·ons A luminous, white, halolike area occasionally seen in the sky opposite the sun on the parhelic circle. [Greek anthēlion, from neuter of anthēlios, opposite the sun : anti-, anti- + hēlios, sun; see sāwel- in Indo-European roots.] |
| anthelion (ānt-hē'lē-ən, ān-thē'-) Pronunciation Key
Plural anthelia A bright white or colored spot appearing at times in the sky opposite the Sun. White anthelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off atmospheric ice crystals; colored anthelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Compare parhelion. |