Definition of parhelia - 4 dictionary results
par⋅he⋅li⋅on
[pahr-hee-lee-uh
n, -heel-yuhn] 
–noun, plural -he⋅li⋅a [-hee-lee-uh, -heel-yuh] . Meteorology.
[-hee-lee-uh, -heel-yuh] . Meteorology. | a bright circular spot on a solar halo; a mock sun: usually one of two or more such spots seen on opposite sides of the sun, and often accompanied by additional luminous arcs and bands. |
Also called sundog.
Compare paraselene.
Origin:
1640–50; alter. of L parēlion < Gk par
lion, n. use of neut. of parlios beside the sun. See par-, helio-
1640–50; alter. of L parēlion < Gk par
lion, n. use of neut. of parlios beside the sun. See par-, helio- Related forms:
par⋅he⋅lic, par⋅he⋅li⋅a⋅cal [pahr-hi-lahy-uh-kuhl] , adjective
[pahr-hi-lahy-uh-kuhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To parhelia
| par·he·li·a (pär-hē'lē-ə, -hēl'yə) n. Plural of parhelion. |
| par·he·li·on (pär-hē'lē-ən, -hēl'yən) n. pl. par·he·li·a (-hē'lē-ə, -hēl'yə) A bright spot sometimes appearing on either side of the sun, often on a luminous ring or halo. [Latin parēlion, from Greek : para-, beside; see para-1 + hēlios, sun; see sāwel- in Indo-European roots.] par·he'lic (-hē'lĭk) adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
| parhelion (pär-hē'lē-ən) Pronunciation Key
Plural parhelia A white spot appearing at times in the parhelic circle. White parhelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off of atmospheric ice crystals; colored parhelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Multiple parhelia can often be seen simultaneously. Compare anthelion. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
