nimbus English · revision 1076

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈnɪmbəs/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|nimbus|t=rainstorm, rain cloud, cloud]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) probably related to Latin ''nebula'' “cloud, mist”^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and Greek ''nephélē'' “cloud”.^(RHWU) It is related to [[nebula]].^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A bright cloud surrounding a deity appearing on earth (1616).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In art the word has meant a bright disc or halo around the head of a sacred figure since 1727–38.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, describes distinct shapes for God the Father, Christ, the Virgin and the saints, a square nimbus showing that the person was alive when portrayed.^(Etymonline) The meteorological sense, a rain cloud, is from 1803,^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989) and the figurative sense of an aura of glamour from 1860.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1616 – a bright cloud around a deity.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1727–38 – a halo in art.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1803 – a rain cloud.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1860 – an aura around a person or thing.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[halo]] or circle of light around or above the head of a god, saint or sovereign in art.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A shining cloud said to surround a classical deity on earth.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # An aura of glamour or splendour around a person or thing.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # A dark rain cloud, such as a nimbostratus.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nimbused]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[nebula]]

+ * [[halo]]

+ * [[aureole]]

+ * [[nimbostratus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Wiktionary notes that in art a nimbus may be distinguished from a halo as a solid disc rather than an open ring.^(Wiktionary) Merriam-Webster gives ''nimbi'' and ''nimbuses'' as plurals.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}