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 , 5.
Aureola
, and Glory
, Noun.
☞ “The nimbus is of pagan origin.” “As an attribute of power, the nimbus is often seen attached to the heads of evil spirits.”
Fairholl.
Definition 2024
Nimbus
nimbus
nimbus
See also: Nimbus
English
Noun
nimbus (plural nimbi or nimbuses)
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
circle of light; halo
rain cloud
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
- rainstorm, rain shower
- rain cloud, thunder cloud
- cloud
- halo (visible aura of divine power)
- throng
- (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
- nimbus in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- nimbus in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
- NIMBUS in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
- Félix Gaffiot (1934), “nimbus”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.