corona

co•ro•na

[[t]kəˈroʊ nə[/t]] n. pl. -nas, -nae (-nē).

1)

a) astron. a white or colored circle or set of concentric circles of light seen around a luminous body, esp. around the sun or moon

b) mer a similar colored circle or set of circles visible in the atmosphere and attributable to the diffraction caused by thin clouds, mist, or sometimes dust

(disting. from halo 3)).

2) astron. a diffuse, hot envelope of ionized gas surrounding the sun that is visible during total solar eclipse

3) a long, straight, untapered cigar, rounded at the closed end

4) bot a crownlike appendage on a plant, esp. on the inner side of a corolla, as in the narcissus

5) anat. the upper portion or crown of a part, as of the head

6) elm

corona discharge

7) archit. the projecting slablike member of a classical cornice, supported by the bed molding or by modillions, dentils, etc., and surmounted by the cymatium

8) fur a metal chandelier having the form of one or more concentric hoops, used esp. in churches

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Etymology: 1555–65; < L corōna garland, crown < Gk korṓnē crown, curved object; akin to korōnís curved, beaked, kórax crow I, raven