nimbus
1
9.1
- noun
- /ˈnɪmbəs/
- Literature
:
nimbus
- The radiant nimbus surrounding the holy figure added a sense of reverence to the scene.
- a nimbus of light
- a nimbus around his head
- a bright nimbus
Examples
-
The light slanted in through the wide windows, shadowing the head so that it appeared aglow, a thin nimbus encircling the bald skull.
Fiction book (1998) -
In classical paintings, saints are often depicted with a nimbus of golden light around their heads.
-
From here, I could only make out her golden hair framed like a nimbus and her oval face.
Fiction book (2001) -
"In the vibrant light, his thinning hair is full again, a nimbus of rose gold.
Fiction book (1990) -
Her face is radiant, her hair full and curled with a nimbus of light around it.
Fiction book (1992) -
I gazed at you, six hours old, cradled in your mother's arms; a nimbus surrounded you both.
Fiction book (1994) -
"Saints are often portrayed with a nimbus and are said to be transfigured into luminous beings.
Academic text (1990) -
With the light behind her, her hair made a coppery nimbus around her face; she looked, somehow, contentedly aflame.
Fiction book (1993) -
The backlighting brought out a nimbus of crisp, bright hairs around her head, and her golden eyes shot topaz sparks.
Fiction book (1990) -
The artist painted a stunning nimbus behind the figure, highlighting the sense of divinity and holiness.
Synonyms
114
8.6
A bright circle of light around a holy person's head in pictures
13
5.8
A circle of light painted around a saint's head to show they are holy
6
8.1
A bright light that surrounds a holy person's head in pictures
1
9.9
A circle of light that appears around a holy person's head in pictures
A bright circle of light around a holy person's head
A ring of bright light that appears around a holy person's head in art
Compounds
How Radiant
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nimbus: The word nimbus comes from the Latin word nimbus, meaning 'cloud' or 'storm', and artists used that image to show a small cloud or ring of light around a holy head. So, a nimbus in art is a halo that marks someone as holy.