parhelion

[ pahr-hee-lee-uh n, -heel-yuh n ]
/ pɑrˈhi li ən, -ˈhil yən /

noun, plural par·he·li·a [pahr-hee-lee-uh, -heel-yuh] /pɑrˈhi li ə, -ˈhil yə/. 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 of parhelion

1640–50; alteration of Latin parēlion < Greek parḗlion, noun use of neuter of parḗlios beside the sun. See par-, helio-

OTHER WORDS FROM parhelion

par·he·lic, par·he·li·a·cal [pahr-hi-lahy-uh-kuh l] /ˌpɑr hɪˈlaɪ ə kəl/, adjective

Words nearby parhelion

pargasite, parget, pargeting, parging, parhelic circle, parhelion, pari passu, pari-, pari-mutuel, paria, pariah

Example sentences from the Web for parhelion

British Dictionary definitions for parhelion

parhelion
/ (pɑːˈhiːlɪən) /

noun plural -lia (-lɪə)

one of several bright spots on the parhelic circle or solar halo, caused by the diffraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere, esp around sunset Also called: mock sun, sundog Compare anthelion

Derived forms of parhelion

parhelic (pɑːˈhiːlɪk, -ˈhɛlɪk) or parheliacal (ˌpɑːhɪˈlaɪəkəl), adjective

Word Origin for parhelion

C17: via Latin from Greek parēlion, from para- 1 (beside) + hēlios sun

Scientific definitions for parhelion

parhelion
[ pär-hē′lē-ən ]

Plural parhelia

A white spot appearing at times in the parhelic circle. White parhelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off of atmospheric ice crystals; colored parhelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Multiple parhelia can often be seen simultaneously. Compare anthelion.