parhelion

noun

par·he·lion pär-ˈhēl-yən

plural parhelia pär-ˈhēl-yə

or parhelions

: any of several bright spots often tinged with color that often appear on the parhelic circle on either side of the sun

called also sun dog

parhelic

pär-ˈhē-lik

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin parelion, from Greek parēlion, from para- + hēlios sun — more at solar

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of parhelion was in 1571

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Parhelion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parhelion. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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