Word of the Day

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

alpenglow

\AL-puhn-gloh\ , noun;

A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.

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Quotes:

In the soft alpenglow, we watch copper turn pink on the peaks above.

-- Brian Payton, "A river of dreams", Boston Globe, July 25, 1999

At the Ahwahnee Hotel, guests book reservations a year in advance to watch the alpenglow off the majestic Half Dome from cozy rooms equipped with TVs and minibars.

-- Jeanne McDowell, "Fighting For Yosemite's Future", Time, January 14, 1991

Origin:

Alpenglow is a partial translation of German Alpenglühen, from Alpen, "Alps" + glühen, "to glow."