Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - aureole

 or aureola  noun  Etymology: Middle English ~ heavenly crown worn by saints, from Medieval Latin aureola, from Latin, feminine of aureolus golden, diminutive of aureus  Date: 13th century  1.  a. a radiant light around the head or body of a representation of a sacred personage  b. something resembling an ~ an ~ of hair  2. radiance, aura an ~ of youth and health  3. the luminous area surrounding the sun or other bright light when seen through thin cloud or mist ; corona  4. a ring-shaped zone around an igneous intrusion  • ~ transitive verb