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Definition of parhelia - 4 dictionary results

par⋅he⋅li⋅on

[pahr-hee-lee-uhn, -heel-yuhn]
–noun, plural -he⋅li⋅a [-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 parlion, n. use of neut. of parlios beside the sun. See par-, helio-


par⋅he⋅lic, par⋅he⋅li⋅a⋅cal [pahr-hi-lahy-uh-kuhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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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Word Origin & History

parhelion 
1647, from Gk. parelion "a mock sun," from para- "beside" + helios "sun" (see sol).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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