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Definition of parhelic circle - 3 dictionary results

parhelic circle

 
Use parhelic circle in a Sentence
–noun Meteorology.
a white, horizontal band passing through the sun, either incomplete or extending around the horizon, produced by the reflection of the sun's rays from the vertical faces of ice prisms in the atmosphere.
Also called parheliacal ring.

Origin:
1885–90; parhel(ion) + -ic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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par·he·lic circle   (pär-hē'lĭk)   
n.  A luminous halo visible at the height of the sun and parallel to the horizon, caused by the sun's rays reflecting off atmospheric ice crystals. Also called parhelic ring.
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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parhelic circle   (pär-hē'lĭk)  Pronunciation Key 
A luminous halo visible at the height of the Sun and parallel to the horizon, caused by the Sun's rays reflecting off atmospheric ice crystals.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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