anthelionic
|an-the-li-on-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθɪˈliːənɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθɪˈlɪənɪk/
relating to the spot opposite the sun
Etymology
'anthelionic' originates from Modern Latin/English formation based on 'anthelion', ultimately from Greek elements 'anti-' meaning 'opposite' and 'hēlios' meaning 'sun'.
'anthelion' was borrowed into scientific English from Modern Latin (via Greek), and the adjectival suffix '-ic' was later attached to form 'anthelionic' in technical meteorological/optical usage.
Initially it referred specifically to the anthelion (the bright spot opposite the sun); the adjective 'anthelionic' keeps that specific meaning of 'relating to the anthelion' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of an anthelion; appearing at or resembling an anthelion (an atmospheric optical phenomenon seen opposite the sun).
The observers photographed a thin anthelic arc opposite the sun and published it as an 'anthelionic' observation.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/11 14:17