anthelion

[ant-hee-lee-uh n, an-thee-] /æntˈhi li ən, ænˈθi-/

noun, plural anthelia

[ant-hee-lee-uh, an-thee-] /æntˈhi li ə, ænˈθi-/ (Show IPA)

a luminous, white spot occasionally appearing at the sun's elevation but in the opposite part of the sky.

Origin

1660-70; < Late Greek anthḗlion, neuter of anthḗlios opposite the sun, equivalent to ant- ant- + hḗli(os) the sun + -os adj. suffix

Examples from the web for anthelion

Also absent was any form of anthelion on the parhelic circle itself.

British Dictionary definitions for anthelion

anthelion

/æntˈhiːlɪən; ænˈθiː-/

noun (pl) -lia (-lɪə)

a faint halo sometimes seen in polar or high altitude regions around the shadow of an object cast onto a thick cloud bank or fog

a white spot occasionally appearing on the parhelic circle at the same height as and opposite to the sun

Word Origin

C17: from Late Greek, from anthēlios opposite the sun, from ante- + hēlios sun

anthelion in Science

anthelion

(ānt-hē'lē-ən, ān-thē'-)
Plural anthelia
A bright white or colored spot appearing at times in the sky opposite the Sun. White anthelia are believed to form from light that is reflected off atmospheric ice crystals; colored anthelia are believed to form from light that is refracted by atmospheric ice crystals. Compare parhelion.