[reyn-boh] 
| 1. | a bow or arc of prismatic colors appearing in the heavens opposite the sun and caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of rain. Compare primary rainbow, secondary rainbow. |
| 2. | a similar bow of colors, esp. one appearing in the spray of a waterfall or fountain. |
| 3. | any brightly multicolored arrangement or display. |
| 4. | a wide variety or range; gamut. |
| 5. | a visionary goal: He pursued the rainbow of a singing career for years before becoming a success. |
| 6. | rainbow trout. |
| 7. | made up of diverse races, ethnic groups, etc.: a rainbow coalition of supporters. |
The colored arch in the sky that is often seen after a rain. The rainbow is formed when water droplets in the air cause the diffraction of sunlight.
Note: The colors of the rainbow are violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.
rainbow
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rainbow (rān'bō') Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) An arc-shaped spectrum of color seen in the sky opposite the Sun, especially after rain, caused by the refraction and reflection of sunlight by droplets of water suspended in the air. Secondary rainbows that are larger and paler sometimes appear within the primary arc with the colors reversed (red being inside). These result from two reflections and refractions of a light ray inside a droplet. |
