Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Nimbus

Nim′bus

,
Noun.
;
pl. L.
Nimbi
(#)
, E.
Nimbuses
(#)
.
[L., a rain storm, a rain cloud, the cloudshaped which enveloped the gods when they appeared on earth.]
1.
(Fine Arts)
A circle, or disk, or any indication of radiant light around the heads of divinities, saints, and sovereigns, upon medals, pictures, etc.; a halo. See
Aureola
, and
Glory
,
Noun.
, 5.
☞ “The nimbus is of pagan origin.” “As an attribute of power, the nimbus is often seen attached to the heads of evil spirits.”
Fairholl.
2.
(Meteor.)
A rain cloud; one of the four principal varieties of clouds. See
Cloud
.

Definition 2024


Nimbus

Nimbus

See also: nimbus

German

Noun

Nimbus m (genitive Nimbus, plural Nimbusse)

  1. nimbus

nimbus

nimbus

See also: Nimbus

English

Noun

nimbus (plural nimbi or nimbuses)

  1. A circle of light; a halo.
  2. A gray rain cloud.

Usage notes

  • (circle of light): In heraldry and art, a nimbus may be considered distinct from a halo. The term halo can refer to an open ring of light or of gold behind the head of a saint, while nimbus refers to a solid disk of light or gold.

Synonyms

  • (circle of light): halo

Translations

Related terms

See also


Latin

Etymology

From Proto-Indo-European *nébʰos (cloud). Cognates include Latin nebula, Proto-Slavic *nebo (heaven, sky), Sanskrit नभस् (nábhas, sky) and Ancient Greek νέφος (néphos).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnɪm.bʊs/

Noun

nimbus m (genitive nimbī); second declension

  1. rainstorm, rain shower
  2. rain cloud, thunder cloud
  3. cloud
  4. halo (visible aura of divine power)
  5. throng
  6. (figuratively) calamity, tempest

Inflection

Second declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative nimbus nimbī
genitive nimbī nimbōrum
dative nimbō nimbīs
accusative nimbum nimbōs
ablative nimbō nimbīs
vocative nimbe nimbī

See also

Descendants

References


Serbo-Croatian

Noun

nimbus m (Cyrillic spelling нимбус)

  1. (religion) halo
  2. nimbus

Synonyms