Halo

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Halo

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

HAY-loh  /ˈheɪləʊ/

Definition

As a noun: a circle of light shown surrounding or above the head of a holy person in religious art; a circular band of light around a luminous body, especially the sun or moon; a general feeling of goodness or positive associations surrounding a person or thing. As a verb: to surround with a halo.

Plain meaning

A halo is the ring of light depicted above the heads of saints and holy figures in religious art. More broadly, a halo is any ring of light — around the sun or moon — or the general glow of positive association that surrounds someone admired.

Register

Neutral in everyday, artistic, and scientific contexts. The religious sense — halo above a saint — is familiar even to secular audiences. The halo effect in psychology is standard academic vocabulary. The verb to halo (to surround with a halo) is less common.